How to join a Rust server by IP
The Rust server browser filters aggressively and sometimes simply does not show a server you know is online. Connecting by IP always works and takes about ten seconds.
Press F1 in Rust to open the console, type client.connect IP:PORT (for example client.connect 1.2.3.4:28015) and press Enter. The game connects directly, without the server browser. Copy the address from the server's website or from BattleMetrics to avoid typos.
The command
- Launch Rust and wait for the main menu.
- Press F1 to open the console.
- Type the connect command and press Enter:
client.connect 1.2.3.4:28015
- The loading screen appears — you are connecting directly, no browser involved.
The port matters. Rust defaults to 28015, but community servers often run something else, and leaving it off sends you to the wrong place or nowhere at all.
Where to find the IP and port
- The server's own website — ours copies the full command to your clipboard.
- BattleMetrics: the address sits under the server name and stays valid between wipes.
- In-game history:
F1thenclient.lastservershows the last address you used.
For RustMates, open any server on the server list and press Join — the button copies client.connect IP:PORT so you only have to paste it into the console. Step-by-step screenshots are on how to join.
When it does not connect
| What you see | Usual cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Disconnected: connection attempt failed | Wrong port, or server restarting | Re-copy the address and retry in a minute |
| Steam auth timeout | Steam client not signed in properly | Restart Steam, then Rust |
| Disconnected: incompatible version | Client is behind after an update | Update Rust in Steam and rejoin |
| Queued for a long time | Server full at wipe | Stay queued; queue priority is a VIP perk |
Frequently asked
How do I join a Rust server with an IP?
Press F1 in the main menu to open the console, type client.connect IP:PORT — for example client.connect 1.2.3.4:28015 — and press Enter. Rust connects directly without using the server browser.
What port does a Rust server use?
The default game port is 28015, but community servers frequently run a different one. Always copy the full IP:PORT pair from the server's site or BattleMetrics rather than assuming the default.
Why can I not find a server in the Rust server browser?
The browser hides servers behind filters for rates, region, group limit and player count, and it caches results. Connecting by IP with client.connect bypasses all of that and always reaches the server if it is online.