How to Connect
Published 2026-05-15
How to connect to a Rust server
Rust's built-in server browser is famously slow to search. Most servers worth playing on tell you exactly how to direct-connect. Here are the four reliable ways — pick whichever your fingers like.
Method 1 — Steam connect link (fastest)
Click a steam://connect/<ip>:<port> URL. Steam opens, launches Rust, and joins the server. One click. Bookmarks your favourite server in your browser, ready for wipe day.
MistyWisp's direct link: steam://connect/162.19.90.167:28015
Method 2 — F1 console (in-game)
Already in Rust on the main menu? Press F1 to open the dev console and type:
client.connect steam://run/252490//+connect 162.19.90.167:28015
Hit Enter. The game connects directly. This is what every Rust streamer types between rounds.
Method 3 — Steam server browser (slow but discoverable)
- Open Steam → top menu View → Game Servers.
- Switch to the Favourites tab.
- Click Add a server, paste the IP and query port (usually
162.19.90.167:28017), confirm. - Right-click → Connect. Game launches and joins.
Note: Rust's in-game server list and Steam's game-server browser don't always show the same set of servers. Direct connect always works regardless of either.
Method 4 — Battlemetrics (good for discovery)
Battlemetrics is the third-party listing every serious Rust player checks. Find a server, click the Steam connect button on the right, you're in. Use Battlemetrics filters to narrow by team size, wipe schedule, and region — faster than Rust's own browser.
What if connect fails?
- "Disconnected: kicked by EAC"— your EAC client is out of date or you have a VAC ban. Restart Steam or run EAC's setup again from your Rust folder.
- "Connection timeout" — server is offline, restarting, or the IP/port is wrong. Check the homepage status.
- "Different protocol version"— server just patched and you haven't. Restart Steam to pull the new client.
- "Banned" — exactly what it says. The rules page lists appeals.
Tip: keep the connect link bookmarked
On wipe day every popular server queues. The faster you fire the connect link after 18:00 UTC, the earlier your slot in the queue. Bookmark steam://connect/162.19.90.167:28015on your bookmarks bar and you're three clicks ahead of anyone using the browser.