How to Connect to a Rust Server with IP: A Step-by-Step Guide

Rust is a thrilling multiplayer survival game that throws you into a harsh world where you need to scavenge, build, and survive against both the environment and other players. To dive into the full multiplayer experience, connecting to a Rust server is essential. While Rust offers several ways to join a server, connecting directly with an IP address provides a reliable and direct method, especially when you know the specific server you want to play on. This guide will walk you through the different ways to connect to a Rust server, with a focus on using an IP address.

1. Joining a Rust Server Through the In-Game Server List

The most straightforward way to find and join a Rust server is through the in-game server list. This method is ideal for browsing available servers and joining popular community servers.

Launch Rust. Start by opening the Rust game client on your computer.
Click “Play Game.” From the main menu, select the “Play Game” option to access the server selection screen.
Choose a Server Type. You’ll see several tabs allowing you to filter servers by type. These include:
- Official: Servers run by Facepunch Studios, the developers of Rust, and their partners. These are generally vanilla servers with standard settings.
- Community: A vast selection of servers managed by Rust community members. These servers can offer a variety of experiences, from vanilla-like to heavily modded.
- Modded: Servers that utilize the Oxide modding platform, offering custom features, plugins, and gameplay enhancements.
- Friends: Servers that your Steam friends are currently playing on.
- Favorited: Servers you have previously added to your favorites in the Steam Server Viewer.
- History: Servers you have played on in the past, allowing you to easily rejoin familiar communities.

Pick Rust server

Search for a Server. If you know the name of the server you want to join, click the “Search servers..” button. This will activate a search bar where you can type the server name.
Select and Join. Locate your desired server from the list and click on it. Then, click the “Join Server” button to initiate the connection.

Joining an official Rust server.

While the server list is convenient for browsing, connecting directly with an IP address offers a more targeted approach, especially when server lists are crowded or you’re aiming for a specific server not easily found through search.

2. Connecting to a Rust Server Using the In-Game Console and IP Address

For a more direct connection, especially when you have the server’s IP address, the in-game console is your best tool. This method bypasses the server list and connects you directly to the server using its network address.

Launch Rust. Start the Rust game client.
Open the Rust Console. Once you are in the game menu, press the F1 key. This will open the in-game console, a command-line interface that allows you to input commands directly to the game.
Understand IP Addresses and Ports. To connect to a server using the console, you’ll need its IP address and port number.
- IP Address: Think of the IP address as the server’s unique address on the internet, like a street address for a house. It’s a series of numbers (e.g., 192.168.1.1 or rust.example-server.com).
- Port: A port is like an apartment number within the building (the server). It specifies which application on the server you want to connect to. The default port for most Rust servers is 28015.
You can usually obtain the server’s IP address and port from the server administrator, server listing websites, or communities associated with the server. If you are renting a Rust server, your hosting provider will supply this information.
Enter the Connect Command. In the console, type the following command, replacing IP with the server’s IP address and port with its port number:
```
client.connect IP:port
```
For example, if the server IP is 123.45.67.89 and the port is the default 28015, you would type:
```
client.connect 123.45.67.89:28015
```
Connect to a Local Server (localhost). If you are running a Rust server on your own computer, you can use localhost instead of your public IP address. localhost is a special hostname that refers to your own computer. To connect to a local server running on the default port, use:
```
client.connect localhost:28015
```
Press Enter. After typing the command, press the Enter key. Rust will attempt to connect to the specified server. If the IP address and port are correct and the server is online, you should be connected to the Rust server.

3. Connecting to a Rust Server Through Steam Server Viewer

Steam Server Viewer offers another way to connect to Rust servers, especially if you frequently join the same servers. This method allows you to save server IPs in your Steam favorites for easy access within both Steam and Rust.

Open Steam Client. Launch the Steam application on your computer.
Navigate to Server Viewer. Click on the “View” menu at the top of the Steam client, and then select “Servers” from the dropdown menu. This will open the Steam Server Viewer window.
Go to Favorites Tab. In the Steam Server Viewer, click on the “Favorites” tab. This is where you will add and manage your favorite servers.
Add a Server. Click the “Add Server” button at the bottom of the Server Viewer window.
Enter Server Address. A small window will appear asking for the server address. Type the IP address and port of the Rust server in the format IP:port. For example: 123.45.67.89:28015. You can also sometimes use a web address if the server provides one.
Add to Favorites. Click “Add this server to favorites.” Steam will attempt to ping the server and add it to your favorites list.
Launch Rust and Join. Start Rust, click “Play Game,” and then select the “Favorited” tab. Your newly added server should appear in the list. Select it and click “Join Server” to connect.

Conclusion

Connecting to a Rust server using its IP address provides a direct and efficient method to join the specific online world you desire. Whether you use the in-game console for quick connections or Steam Server Viewer for saving your favorite servers, you now have the knowledge to easily jump into the action. With these methods, you’re well-equipped to join your friends, favorite communities, or explore new Rust servers and experience the intense survival gameplay Rust has to offer.

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