Friends Can’t Join RUST (Works for You Checklist)

Checklist

1. Friends use public panel game IP:port (not 127.0.0.1).
2. You didn’t accidentally share query/RCON ports for client.connect.
3. Server shows startup complete.
4. DIY home host: check CGNAT and UDP firewall.
5. Test from a phone network with client.connect.

Soft CTA: RUST hosting.

Related guides

• Ports Explained
• Join / Connect
• CGNAT (backlog)
• DDoS Protection Basics for Game Servers

Frequently Asked Questions

You can join, friends can’t?

Often wrong IP:port shared, or DIY CGNAT/firewall.

Managed hosting?

Use panel game allocation; no home router forward needed.

CGNAT?

Common on residential DIY — see General CGNAT backlog; managed nodes avoid your home CGNAT.

Need help?

If you are stuck after following this guide, open a ticket from the Chapter22 client area with the exact error, the port or DNS change you made, and whether the service listens locally (ss / Resource Monitor) but fails externally.

Build the server. Grow the community. Start your next chapter.