How to Fix a Rust Server That Keeps Crashing
Rust server crashes are usually one of a handful of known causes — an Oxide/uMod version that hasn't caught up to the latest Facepunch update, too little RAM for a large map, or a bad wipe. Here's how to diagnose and fix each one.
Oxide/uMod plugin conflict after a Facepunch update
Rust forces regular wipes and updates, and Oxide needs its own compatible rebuild after each one; running old Oxide against a new Rust binary crashes plugins — and sometimes the server — on load. Fix: wait for an Oxide/uMod compatibility release after any Rust update before restarting with plugins enabled.
Too little RAM for map size and plugin count
A 5000-size map with a heavy plugin stack needs meaningfully more than the 8 GB floor. Fix: budget 12-16 GB for large maps or plugin-heavy servers.
Map seed changed without a full wipe
Changing the procedural map seed on an existing save, rather than doing a proper wipe, corrupts the saved map data and crashes on load. Fix: always pair a seed change with a full wipe of the map and save files, never a partial edit.
RCON misconfiguration
A wrong rcon.port or rcon.password prevents admin tools — and some plugins — from connecting, which can cascade into plugin-load failures that look like a server crash. Fix: double-check your RCON settings match what your admin client or panel expects.
Corrupted save from a bad shutdown
Killing RustDedicated instead of a graceful stop during a save can corrupt the map file, crashing on the next boot. Fix: restore from the automatic save or backup; always allow a graceful shutdown.
Plugin memory leak over a long uptime
Some third-party Oxide plugins leak memory over days of uptime without a restart, eventually crashing with an out-of-memory error. Fix: schedule a regular restart if running a plugin-heavy server, and watch for a steadily climbing memory graph as the signal.
FAQ
Why did my server break right after a Rust update?+
How much RAM does a Rust server actually need?+
Can changing the map seed corrupt my save?+
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