How To Read Rust Error Logs

Note:

To keep track of everything happening on your Rust server, you’ll need logging enabled. You can follow our guide How To Setup Logging For Your Rust Server to make sure all events are properly recorded.

1. Log In to Your Panel

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2. Select the ‘Files’ Tab

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3. Locate ‘logs’ Folder

Inside your server directory, go to: /home/container/logs.

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4. Open the Logs

The folder will contain log files organized by year, month, day, and time. Each log file is generated for each server restart.

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5. Review Errors or Warnings

Open the most recent log file and search for error messages ([Error], [Warning], etc.) to diagnose issues with plugins, configuration, or the server itself.

Open the latest log file and search for entries marked with:

• [Error] – Critical issues (plugins failing, missing configs, crashes).
• [Warning] – Non-critical problems that may still affect performance.
• [Info] – General server information (startup, connections, etc.).

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6. Use Logs to Troubleshoot

Plugin Issues – Look for error lines mentioning plugin names. Example: a plugin might fail to load due to a missing dependency.

Server Crashes – Review the final lines in the log before the crash occurred. They often reveal what caused the shutdown.

Permission Problems – Check for warnings if certain commands or features aren’t working for your players.

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7. Share Logs for Support

If you can’t resolve the issue, copy the error lines or download the full log file. Share this with your hosting provider or community support — it helps them diagnose the problem faster.

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8. Common Rust Log Errors

Here are some of the most frequent errors you may see in your Rust server logs and what they usually mean:

[Error] Failed to load plugin ‘XYZ’ (missing dependency)
→ The plugin you’re trying to run requires another plugin or library that isn’t installed.

[Error] Could not load configuration file
→ A config file is missing, corrupted, or has invalid formatting (often JSON errors).

[Error] NullReferenceException
→ A plugin tried to run a function but something expected was missing — usually caused by bugs in the plugin or incompatibility after a Rust update.

[Error] Failed to call hook ‘OnServerInitialized’
→ A plugin failed during server startup, often due to a bad update or coding error.

[Error] Missing asset bundle
→ The server is trying to load a file or asset that doesn’t exist, usually from custom content.

[Warning] Your server is running an outdated version of Oxide/uMod
→ Update your Oxide/uMod installation to ensure compatibility with the latest Rust patch. Restarting the server usually fixes.

[Warning] Skipping corrupted map data
→ Your server map data may be damaged. Deleting and regenerating the map usually fixes this.

[Warning] Server tick rate is too low
→ The server is overloaded or running out of resources. Lower entity count, upgrade hardware, or optimize plugins. You can check this guide Optimising Your Rust Server to Reduce RAM.

[Error] Failed to initialize item definition
→ The server couldn’t load an item, often due to a plugin conflict or outdated files.

[Error] Server exceeded critical memory threshold
→ The server ran out of RAM. Restart the server, increase memory allocation, or remove heavy plugins.

[Error] Connection attempt failed
→ A client failed to connect to the server, possibly due to firewall, port forwarding, or mod mismatch issues.

[Warning] Dropping client – packet flood detected
→ A player was disconnected for sending too many packets, which may indicate lag, desync, or cheating software.

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