Fix: Rust Crashing When Joining Server

Rust is an immersive survival game that allows players to explore, scavenge, and build in a post-apocalyptic world. However, nothing ruins the gaming experience more than encountering crashes when attempting to join a server. If you’ve been facing this frustrating issue, don’t worry! In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through various troubleshooting steps to fix Rust crashing problems and get you back into the game.

Rust crashing when joining a server can be a frustrating problem for gamers. It disrupts gameplay and prevents you from fully enjoying the immersive world of Rust. Fortunately, there are several potential solutions to resolve these crashing issues. In this guide, we will explore the most common causes of Rust crashes and provide step-by-step instructions to fix them.

Possible Causes of Rust Crashing Issues

Before diving into the solutions, it’s important to understand the possible causes of Rust crashes when joining a server. Here are the main culprits:

Outdated Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers are a common cause of game crashes. Updating your graphics drivers can not only resolve Rust crashing issues but also improve overall game performance.

Outdated Steam Client

An outdated Steam client can also lead to Rust crashes. Keeping your Steam client up to date ensures compatibility with the latest game updates and fixes any known issues.

Low Virtual Memory

Insufficient virtual memory can cause Rust to crash when joining a server. Increasing your virtual memory limit can help alleviate this problem.

Missing Game Files

Missing or corrupted game files can trigger crashes. Verifying game files can identify and repair any damaged or missing files, ensuring Rust runs smoothly.

Discord Overlay

The Discord overlay, a feature that allows you to access Discord while gaming, can sometimes conflict with Rust and result in crashes. Disabling the Discord overlay might be necessary to resolve the crashing issue.

Now that we understand the potential causes, let’s move on to the solutions.

Solutions to Fix Rust Crashing

In this section, we will walk you through several solutions to fix Rust crashing problems when joining a server. Follow these steps sequentially until the crashing issue is resolved.

Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers can cause instability and crashes in games like Rust. It’s essential to keep your graphics drivers up to date. Here’s how you can update them:

For NVIDIA graphics cards:

• Visit the NVIDIA GeForce Experience website.
• Download and install the NVIDIA GeForce Experience application if you haven’t already.
• Open the application and create an account or log in.
• Go to the “Drivers” tab and select “Check for Updates” to install the latest drivers.

For AMD graphics cards:

• Visit the AMD Support website.
• Download and install the AMD Auto Detect and Install tool.
• Run the application and click “Install” to detect and install the latest drivers.

Optimize Virtual Memory

Increasing your virtual memory limit can help prevent Rust crashes caused by low virtual memory. Follow these steps to optimize your virtual memory:

1. Open the File Explorer and right-click on “This PC.”
2. Select “Properties” and go to “Advanced system settings” in the top right corner.
3. Under the “Performance” section, click on “Settings.”
4. In the new window, select the “Advanced” tab and click on “Change” under the Virtual memory section.
5. Uncheck the “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives” option.
6. Select your drive and choose the “Custom size” option.
7. Add 2048 to the “Currently allocated” amount and enter the resulting number in both the “Initial size” and “Maximum size” fields.
8. Click “Set,” then “OK,” and “OK” again to save the changes.
9. Restart your computer and try running Rust again.

Verify Game Files

Corrupted or missing game files can lead to Rust crashes. Verifying the integrity of your game files can help identify and fix any issues. Follow these steps:

1. Open Steam and go to your library.
2. Right-click on Rust and select “Properties.”
3. Click on the “Local Files” tab.
4. Click the “Verify Integrity of Game Files” button.
5. Steam will check for any corrupted files and replace them if necessary.

Disable Discord Overlay

The Discord overlay feature can sometimes interfere with Rust and cause crashes. Disabling the Discord overlay can help resolve the crashing issue. Here’s how:

1. Start Discord and click on the gear icon in the bottom left corner to open “User Settings.”
2. In the left sidebar, click on “Overlay.”
3. Toggle off the “Enable in-game overlay” option.

Check Steam Client Updates

An outdated Steam client can contribute to Rust crashes. Ensure that your Steam client is up to date by following these steps:

1. Launch Steam.
2. Click on “Steam” in the top-left corner and select “Settings.”
3. In the “Settings” window, click on the “Account” tab.
4. Under “Beta Participation,” click on “Change.”
5. In the drop-down menu, select “NONE – Opt out of all beta programs.”
6. Click “OK” and restart Steam for the changes to take effect.

Adjust Launch Options

Running Rust in DirectX 9 mode can sometimes resolve crashing issues. Follow these steps to adjust the launch options:

1. Start Steam and go to your library.
2. Right-click on Rust and select “Properties.”
3. In the properties window, click on the “Set Launch Options” button.
4. Type “-dx9” (without the quotes) in the text field.
5. Click “OK” to save the changes.
6. Try launching Rust again and see if the crashing issue is resolved.

System Requirements for Rust

If the above solutions do not resolve the crashing issue, it’s possible that your PC does not meet the minimum system requirements to run Rust. Here are the minimum and recommended system requirements according to the Steam page:

Minimum Requirements:

• OS: 64-bit processor and operating system
• CPU: Intel Core i7-3770 / AMD FX-9590 or better
• Memory: 10 GB RAM
• Graphics: GTX 670 2GB / AMD R9 280 better
• DirectX: Version 11
• Network: Broadband Internet connection
• Storage: 20 GB available space
• Additional Notes: SSD is highly recommended or expect longer than average load times.

Recommended Requirements:

• OS: 64-bit processor and operating system
• CPU: Intel Core i7-4690K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• GPU: GTX 980 / AMD R9 Fury
• DirectX: Version 12
• Network: Broadband Internet connection
• Storage: 20 GB available space
• Additional Notes: SSD is highly recommended.

Ensure that your PC meets these requirements to ensure smooth gameplay without crashes.

Additional Tips for a Smooth Rust Gaming Experience

In addition to the solutions provided above, here are some additional tips to enhance your Rust gaming experience and minimize the chances of crashes:

1. Keep your operating system up to date: Regularly update your operating system to ensure compatibility with the latest software and drivers.
2. Close unnecessary background applications: Close any unnecessary applications running in the background to free up system resources for Rust.
3. Disable overclocking: If you have overclocked your CPU or GPU, try disabling the overclock and running Rust at stock settings.
4. Update DirectX: Ensure that you have the latest version of DirectX installed on your system to avoid compatibility issues.
5. Clean your computer: Regularly clean your computer to remove dust and ensure optimal airflow, preventing overheating issues.

Conclusion

Rust crashing when joining a server can be a frustrating experience, but with the solutions provided in this guide, you should be able to resolve the issue and get back to enjoying the immersive world of Rust. Remember to update your graphics drivers, optimize virtual memory, verify game files, disable Discord overlay, check for Steam client updates, and adjust launch options if necessary. Additionally, ensure that your PC meets the minimum system requirements for Rust. By following these steps and implementing the additional tips, you can have a smooth and crash-free Rust gaming experience.