> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Rust Server Hosting Guide: Setup, Wipes, Plugins and Fixes

> Rust server guide for FREAKHOSTING: RCON password first, settings, wipes, admins, Oxide and Carbon plugins, custom maps, Rust+ and fixes for Steam auth errors.

This Rust server guide lists every FREAKHOSTING help page for Rust. Your server has four Rust pages in the Game Panel under **RUST**: **Server settings**, **Wipe**, **Staff and bans** and **Plugins** (uMod). On a new server, first set your own **RCON password** in **Server settings** and restart: the console, commands, **Stop** and **Staff and bans** all need it. Then follow [getting started](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/getting-started-with-your-rust-server.md).

| Fact | Value |
| - | - |
| Panel pages | **Server settings**, **Wipe**, **Staff and bans**, **Plugins** (under **RUST**) |
| First step | Set your own **RCON password** (**Generate**, **Review and save**, restart) |
| Ports | 28015 game, 28016 RCON, 28017 query, 28082 Rust+ |
| Plugin frameworks | Vanilla, Oxide (uMod), Carbon (**Plugin framework**) |
| Config files | `/server/rust/cfg/` (`server.cfg`, `users.cfg`, `bans.cfg`) |
| Forced wipe | First Thursday of the month, 19:00 London time |

> [!WARNING]
>
> **Set your own RCON password first.** Rust turns RCON off while the password is the well-known default. Until you change it, the console only shows `Waiting for RCON to come up...`, commands don't run and **Stop** can hang. Open **Server settings**, click **Generate** next to **RCON password**, **Review and save**, then restart. See [console not working](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/rust-console-not-working-waiting-for-rcon.md).

## Most asked

1. [Steam Auth Failed and Steam Auth Timeout](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/resolving-steam-auth-timeout-errors-in-rust.md): what each reason means and how players and owners fix it.
2. [Console stuck on "Waiting for RCON to come up"](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/rust-console-not-working-waiting-for-rcon.md): set your own RCON password.
3. [Wipe your server](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/how-to-wipe-your-rust-server-map-blueprints.md): map wipe or map and blueprint wipe.
4. [Forced wipe day](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/setting-up-automatic-restarts-and-wipe-schedules.md): first Thursday of the month and the wipe-day schedule.
5. [Install Oxide and plugins](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/installing-oxideumod-on-your-rust-server.md): one-click plugins from uMod.
6. [Oxide vs Carbon](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/oxide-vs-carbon-for-rust-servers.md): which modding framework to pick.
7. [Admins and moderators](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/setting-up-rust-server-admins-and-moderators.md): ownerid, moderatorid and users.cfg.
8. [Remover Tool](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/setting-up-remover-tool.md): let players remove their own builds.

## Start here

> [card] [Getting started](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/getting-started-with-your-rust-server.md)
>
> RCON password, name, map, joining and owner rights.

> [card] [Log in to the Game Panel](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-login-and-access-the-game-panel.md)
>
> Open your server.

## Game Panel guides

> [card] [Wipe your server](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/how-to-wipe-your-rust-server-map-blueprints.md)
>
> Map and blueprint wipes on the Wipe page.

> [card] [Wipe schedule and restarts](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/setting-up-automatic-restarts-and-wipe-schedules.md)
>
> Forced wipe day and daily restarts.

> [card] [Admins and moderators](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/setting-up-rust-server-admins-and-moderators.md)
>
> Staff and bans page.

> [card] [Install Oxide and plugins](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/installing-oxideumod-on-your-rust-server.md)
>
> Plugin framework and uMod plugins.

## Commands and settings

> [card] [Server settings explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/rust-server-cfg-settings-explained.md)
>
> Every field, server.cfg and serverauto.cfg.

> [card] [Map seed and size](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/changing-the-map-seed-and-size-in-rust.md)
>
> Seed 0 to 2147483647, size 1000 to 6000.

> [card] [Description and header image](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/configuring-server-description-and-header-image.md)
>
> Name, banner, logo and tags.

> [card] [RCON tools](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/connecting-rcon-tools-rustadmin.md)
>
> RustAdmin, WebRCON and the RCON port.

> [card] [Ban players](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/banning-players-by-steamid-and-ip.md)
>
> ban, banid, kick and unban.

## Guides and tips

> [card] [Oxide vs Carbon](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/oxide-vs-carbon-for-rust-servers.md)
>
> Pick a modding framework.

> [card] [Custom maps (RustEdit)](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/how-to-install-custom-maps-rustedit.md)
>
> Run a .map file from a direct link.

> [card] [Rust+ app](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/setting-up-rust-plus-on-your-server.md)
>
> Companion app port and pairing.

> [card] [Performance and memory](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/rust-server-performance-and-memory.md)
>
> Map size, plugins and restarts.

> [card] [BetterLoot](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/configuring-loot-tables-betterloot.md)
>
> Change loot tables and drop rates.

> [card] [Starter and VIP kits](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/creating-start-kits-and-vip-kits.md)
>
> The Kits plugin.

> [card] [Server shop](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/setting-up-a-server-shop.md)
>
> GUI Shop and Economics.

> [card] [Remover Tool](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/setting-up-remover-tool.md)
>
> /remove for players and admins.

> [card] [Discord authentication](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/rust-discord-authentication.md)
>
> Link Steam and Discord accounts.

## Troubleshooting

> [card] [Steam auth errors](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/resolving-steam-auth-timeout-errors-in-rust.md)
>
> Steam Auth Failed and Timeout.

> [card] [Console not working](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/rust-console-not-working-waiting-for-rcon.md)
>
> "Waiting for RCON to come up" and Stop hanging.

> [card] [Not showing in the list](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/rust-server-not-showing-in-list.md)
>
> Find your server or join with client.connect.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why does my new Rust server's console not accept commands?

The RCON password is still the default, so Rust has turned RCON off. Set your own in **Server settings** and restart.

### Can I run Oxide or Carbon plugins?

Yes. Choose **Plugin framework** in **Server settings** and restart. With Oxide, the **Plugins** page installs uMod plugins in one click.

### How do I wipe my Rust server?

Open **Wipe**, choose **Map wipe** or **Map and blueprint wipe**, keep **Take a backup first** ticked and click **Wipe map…**.

### How do players join my Rust server?

From the server list by name, or with `client.connect 203.0.113.10:28015` in the **F1** console (use your own address).

## Related guides

> [card] [Start, stop and restart](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md)
>
> Control your server's power.

> [card] [Backups](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups.md)
>
> Make and restore backups.

> [card] [Startup variables](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-configure-startup-variables.md)
>
> APP PORT, Custom Map URL and more.

> [card] [File Manager](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-file-manager.md)
>
> Edit server.cfg and plugin configs.

***

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 31 October 2026 (Rust dedicated server with Oxide.Rust 2.0.7839). Steps may differ slightly if the game changes.

> [!NOTE]
>
> ### Need Extra Help?
>
> If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:
>
> * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
> * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
> * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
> * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)

> [!TIP]
>
> ### Save on Your Hosting
>
> Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order!

***

**Last Updated:** October 2026


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