Did you know that outdated Rust servers can lead to connection issues, plugin failures, and even security vulnerabilities?

Keeping your Rust dedicated server updated is crucial to maintaining compatibility with the latest game features, ensuring security, and providing a smooth player experience.

In this blog, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to stay up to date.

How Do You Know When It's Time To Update Your Rust Server?

Rust updates are typically released monthly, on the first Thursday of each month. Here are the signs that it’s time to update your Rust server:

  • Game Update Announcements: Facepunch regularly announces updates on Twitter, their blog, or in Steam news.
  • Connection Issues: If players suddenly can’t join your server after a game update, the server version is likely outdated.
  • Admin Tools or Plugins Stop Working: Updates may cause compatibility issues with certain mods or tools.

How To Update Your Rust Server

You can install and update your Rust dedicated server by following these key steps:

Step 1: Download SteamCMD for Windows

Start your download of SteamCMD by following the link.

Step 2: Create the following folders:

Make a folder named "steamcmd".

Make a folder named "rustserver".

Step 3: Extract the contents of steamcmd.zip

Extract the contents inside your "steamcmd" folder.

Step 4: Execute the steamcmd.exe program

When executed, this file will be installed and updated to the latest version of SteamCMD.

Note: If you have already installed SteamCMD you can skip the above steps.

Step 5: Updating and setting the install directory

Execute the following commands in the given order after the "Steam>" prompt:

1. login anonymous
2. force_install_dir PATH:\SteamCMD\rust_server\
3. app_update 258550 validate

The third command downloads the latest Rust server files.

Step 6: Restart the Server

Once the update is complete, start your server again using your batch file.

Don't Have a Batch Script File? We've got you covered!

Configuring And Running A Rust Server

Getting your Rust server running requires at least one batch script file. Here are the key steps to creating a batch file for your server:

Step 1: Create a RustServer.bat file in your Rust server install folder

Your Rust server install directory should be (c:\rustserver)

Step 2: Execute SteamCMD program

In your SteamCMD install folder, click on steamcmd.exe to boot it up.

Step 3: Suppress console spam from the batch file being executed

Execute:

echo off

Step 4: Execute the label for a loop starting point

Execute:

:start

Step 5: Check for server updates and apply if needed:

Execute:

C:\steamcmd\steamcmd.exe +login anonymous +force_install_dir c:\rustserver\ +app_update 258550 +quit

Step 6: Use this template Batch file script that requires changes:

RustDedicated.exe -batchmode +server.port 28015 +server.level "Procedural Map" +server.seed 1234 +server.worldsize 4000 +server.maxplayers 10  +server.hostname "Name of Server as Shown on the Client Server List" +server.description "Description shown on server connection window." +server.url "http://yourwebsite.com" +server.headerimage "http://yourwebsite.com/serverimage.jpg" +server.identity "server1" +rcon.port 28016 +rcon.password letmein +rcon.web 1
Do not execute the batch script without making changes. Numbers are only shown for reference and must be replaced.

Step 7: Instruct the batch file to jump to the ‘start’ label

goto start

If you don't want your server to automatically restart after it shuts down, you can skip this step.

Why Is It Important To Regularly Update Your Rust Server?

Rust server hosting isn't just about spinning it up and letting it run—it's an ongoing process of maintenance and improvement. One of the most important tasks for any server owner is staying up to date with the latest Rust releases. Regularly updating your server offers a wide range of benefits that directly impact performance, security, player experience, and community growth.

Improved Security

Every new update released by Facepunch often includes fixes for vulnerabilities that have been discovered since the last patch. These could range from minor bugs to serious exploits that allow cheaters or malicious users to compromise the server. Failing to update can leave your server exposed to these risks, potentially damaging your server’s reputation or resulting in data loss. Keeping your server updated ensures you're running the most secure version of the game available.

New Features And Content

Rust is constantly evolving, with new mechanics, items, building tools, monuments, and even gameplay modes being introduced, regularly. When you update your server, you unlock these new features for your players immediately. That shows your community that you’re actively maintaining and improving their gameplay experience.

Plugin Compatibility

If you're running mods or plugins through Oxide/uMod, Carbon, or any other framework, staying up to date is essential. Many plugins are designed to work with specific game versions. After a major Rust update, developers of these plugins often release their own updates to maintain compatibility. If your server is outdated, plugins might break, causing errors, missing features, or even full server crashes. By updating regularly, you minimize downtime and avoid the headache of troubleshooting plugin issues due to version mismatches.

Stability And Performance

Rust server updates include important performance optimizations and backend improvements. These updates can help your server run smoother, use fewer resources, and reduce lag, crashes, or memory leaks. Especially on larger servers or modded environments, these stability improvements can make a huge difference in long-term uptime and acquiring dedicated Rust players.

Player Retention

When players update their Rust game through Steam and try to connect to your Rust server, they won’t be able to join if your server is still on an old version. This leads to frustration and lost players, especially new ones who may never return. Updated servers keep your community engaged, show professionalism, and ensure that returning players can hop right back into the action without hassle. In short, if you want your server to grow and keep a dedicated player base, regular updates are a must.

Discover Easier Dedicated Server Hosting With Pine Hosting

If you find updating your Rust dedicated server manually a tedious task, Pine Hosting is designed to make it easier. The platform is built to simplify server management for Rust dedicated servers, so you don’t have to mess with commands and complicated server installations.

How Pine Hosting Ensures Easy Dedicated Rust Server Hosting:

  • Automatic Rust Server Updates: Pine Hosting makes updates effortless. When Rust releases a new patch, just click “Restart” in your control panel—your server auto-updates in seconds, no manual steps required.
  • 1-Click Server Installation: Install your Rust server in minutes with Pine Hosting's 1-click setup. Simply click “Reinstall Server” in your control panel's settings—let Pine Hosting handle the rest.
  • Easy Setup & User-Friendly Console Panel: Manage everything on your dedicated Rust server from an easy-to-use panel. Change settings, run commands, view logs, and control your server—all from one clean, web-based dashboard.

So if you're looking for a hassle-free experience, Pine Hosting is an ideal choice for both new and veteran Rust server owners.

Choose an easier way to start your Rust server hosting journey today by purchasing any of our game server packages.