The server refused the RCON password on your Rust server

The server refused the RCON password means the RCON password in Game Settings is not the one your Rust server is running with. That happens when the password was changed while the server ran: Rust only reads it at start. Restart the server, then try again.

Where you see it

The panel sends commands to your server over RCON when you click Kick or Ban in a player's row menu, Unban in the Bans window, or add or remove someone in the Admins window while the server runs. When the server turns the password away, the panel says:

The server refused the RCON password. If you changed the RCON password under Settings, restart the server so it uses the new one, then try again.

In the Admins window it is shorter: The server refused the RCON password. If you changed it under Settings, restart the server, then try again.

The Live map uses RCON too. With the wrong password it shows Not answering rather than naming the password, and the same restart fixes it.

Fix it

1. Open your server in the panel.
2. Click Restart at the top of the page and wait until the Console shows Server startup complete.
3. Try again.

The restart makes Rust use the password that is in Game Settings now, so the panel and the server agree again.

If it comes back

• Someone with access to Game Settings changes the password. Check Activity for changes: How to see what happened on your server.
• Change the password only when you can restart straight after: How to connect your own RCON tool to your Rust server.
• Never empty it. Rust does not start without one: Your Rust server will not start without an RCON password.

Good to know

• Your own RCON tool needs the new password too, after the restart.
• While the server is starting or stopped, the players card says No answer from the server instead: The Rust players card says No answer from the server.