How to fix a plugin that is not running on your Rust server

Open the Modding tab and click Installed. A plugin with a red Not running badge did not start, and the line under its name says why. Update the plugin, choose another version, or uninstall it.

Find the plugin and read the error

1. Open your server in the panel and click the Modding tab.
2. On the Plugins tab, click Installed.
3. Look for a plugin with the badge Not running. The red text under its name is the reason.

There are two kinds of message:

• It failed to compile, usually because it was written for an older version of Rust. Update it, or remove it. Followed by The error: and the compiler's line. This is the usual one after a Rust update. Facepunch changed something the plugin uses.
• It compiled but failed to start. Followed by The error: and the line the plugin gave. Read it: it often names a missing plugin it depends on, or a bad entry in its settings file.

Fix it

1. If the row shows Update, click it: the author may have fixed it already. See How to install and update plugins on your Rust server.
2. If there is no update, open the menu Options for the plugin and choose Open its page. Look for a newer version or for notes from the author.
3. If it broke after an update you made, use Choose a version to go back to the version that worked.
4. If the error says it needs another plugin, install that one first.
5. If the error points to the settings file, open it in Files and fix it: How to change plugin settings and permissions on your Rust server.
6. If nothing helps, uninstall the plugin with Options for, then Uninstall, until the author publishes a fixed version.

Oxide and Carbon load a changed plugin file by themselves. When the plugin starts, the badge goes away.

Good to know

• The badge reads Oxide's log, so it only appears on Oxide. On Carbon, check the Console under Errors for the plugin's name.
• On Vanilla nothing loads plugins, so the Installed list is empty: How to add mods to your Rust server.
• On the Staging branch plugins may fail because they are built for Release: How to switch your Rust server to the staging branch.
• Right after a Rust update, plugin authors need a little time. Check back after a few hours.
• A server that stops after you add a plugin: remove the newest plugin or restore a backup, see How to fix a server that will not start.