Your Rust server crashes after you set a Custom Map URL

If your Rust server stops at start right after you set Custom Map URL, the link does not give the server the .map file itself. The panel's own description of the field says it: Invalid URLs will cause the server to crash. Clear the field and restart to get back to a normal map, then fix the link.

Get the server running again

1. Open your server in the panel, click the Settings tab, then Game Settings.
2. Clear Custom Map URL and click outside the field.
3. Start the server. It builds a map from World Size and World Seed again.

Fix the link

The link must start the download of the .map file by itself, with no page in between.

• A web page about the map fails. A Discord message link fails. A link that asks you to click a button first fails.
• A Dropbox link must end in dl=1, not dl=0: dl=0 gives a web page instead of the file.
• The panel accepts a direct http or https link up to 512 characters, with no spaces, quotes or semicolons. A query string such as ?dl=1&v=2 is fine. A link it does not accept is refused when you save, with the reason.

Test the link in a private browser window: it should download a file ending in .map straight away.

Then paste the fixed link into Custom Map URL and restart. The steps are in How to use a custom map on your Rust server.

Still crashing

• Some custom maps need a plugin or extension from the map's author. The panel notes that maps with custom prefabs also need the RustEdit extension on Oxide or Carbon. Follow the author's instructions.
• Open the Console and look under Errors for lines near the start.
• Open a ticket with the link and the last 50 to 100 lines of the Console.

Good to know

• The link must stay online as long as you use the map, because players download the map from it when they join.
• If players see World cache version mismatch, the map name was reused: Players see World cache version mismatch on your Rust server.
• Other start problems: Rust server problems and fixes.