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Connection Stability: Auth Timeouts

The “Steam Auth Timeout” error occurs when your Rust server fails to complete a cryptographic handshake with Valve’s authentication servers within the allowed timeframe. This is most common during peak hours when the Steam network is congested or when a player’s initial connection is delayed by poor routing.
Reading TimeDifficultyLast Updated
4 minutesBeginnerJanuary 2026

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Raising the Threshold

The fastest way to mitigate this error is to give the server more time to verify the player’s identity.
  1. Access Files: Navigate to your /server/{identity}/cfg/ directory.
  2. Modify Config: Open server.cfg.
  3. Add the Variable: Insert the following line at the bottom: server.connectiontimeout 300
  4. Logic: This increases the timeout window from the default (often 30-60 seconds) to 300 seconds (5 minutes).

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Network Diagnostics

If raising the timeout does not stop the disconnections, you may be experiencing packet loss during the initial burst of data when joining.
  • Max Packets: Try incrementing server.maxpacketspersecond to 2500 in your Startup tab to allow for higher throughput during the world synchronization phase.
  • Port Check: Ensure your Query Port (usually game port + 1) is not being throttled by any local ISP firewalls, as this port is responsible for the Steam master-list handshake.

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Last Updated: January 2026 | Rust: Connectivity optimized.