Many players have reported they can’t play Rust on Windows PCs because it crashes on startup. For instance, a Rust player said on Reddit, “I’ve been trying to launch Rust recently; however, it doesn’t want to launch, and I don’t know what to do now.” Rust can crash when starting for various reasons, which also means there are numerous ways you can fix that game not launching. This is how you can fix Rust crashing on startup.
Read also: 5 Ways to Fix the Rust Steam Auth Timeout Error on a Windows PC
Run Rust in Compatibility Mode With Admin Rights
Some players confirm running the game in compatibility mode with admin rights enabled can fix Rust crashing on startup. Rust is quite an old game now released when Windows 8 was the latest Microsoft desktop platform. So, try setting the game to run in a Windows 8 compatibility mode with elevated privileges like this:
- Open File Explorer to access a Program Files (x86) > Steam > steamapps> common > Rust directory path.
- Right-click the Rust.exe file to select Properties.
- Select Compatibility within the tab bar of the window that opens.
- Next, select Run this program in compatibility mode and the Windows 8 option menu option.
The Compatibility tab
- Select Run this program as an administrator by clicking the checkbox with that label.
- Save the settings selected by clicking Apply and OK.
Set Steam to Run in Compatibility Mode With Admin Rights
This is a potential fix to the previous one. However, you must set Steam to run in a Windows 8 compatibility mode with admin rights enabled to apply this potential fix. To do that, right-click your Steam desktop shortcut and then go through the steps for resolution one.
Repair Rust’s Game Files
Facepunch Studios recommends players verify Rust’s game files to fix Rust crashing on startup. This potential resolution scans for and repairs corrupted Rust game files when applied. This Steam page tells you how to apply this possible solution by running a verification scan for the game.
The Verify integrity of game files
Repair Easy Anti-Cheat
Easy Anti-Cheat is an anti-cheat service required for the Rust game. Rust crashing on startup can occur because of Easy Anti-Cheat issues you might need to repair. That’s especially likely if the game throws up any Easy Anti-Cheat message when it fails to start. To address this possible cause, try repairing Easy Anti-Cheat like this:
- Open the Rust installation folder in File Explorer.
- Next, open the EasyAntiCheat subfolder from the Rust directory.
- Double-click the EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe file.
- Select Rust on the drop-down menu.
- Next, click the Repair Service or Install Easy Anti-Cheat button depending on the option available. If Easy Anti-Cheat is not installed, you’ll need to click Install Easy Anti-Cheat.
The Easy Anti-Cheat windows
Set the Easy Anti-Cheat Startup Type To Automatic
Another possible reason for Rust crashing on startup on your PC is a disabled EasyAntiCheat service. Setting the EasyAntiCheat service startup to automatic will ensure that the service can start. This is how you can set an automatic startup type for EasyAntiCheat:
- Press the Windows logo + R keyboard shortcut, and type in a services.msc Run command and click OK.
- Double-click EasyAntiCheat within the Services window that opens.
- Next, click Startup type > Automatic within the EasyAntiCheat.
The EasyAntiCheat service window
- Select Apply in the EasyAntiCheat service window.
- Click OK to exit the EasyAntiCheat window.
Disable Overlays
Players have confirmed disabling overlay features has fixed Rust crashing on startup on their PCs. An overlay is an overlapping visual display element that players can activate to select additional options. These are the software packages you should disable overlays in to fix Rust startup issues:
- Discord
- Steam
- GeForce Experience
- AMD Radeon
The Geforce Experience overlay setting
Other Possible Ways to Fix Rust Crashing on Startup
If the Rust crashing on startup continues after applying the potential fixes above, you will obviously need more possible resolutions. Try applying these extra troubleshooting methods:
- Reinstall your Rust game.
- Reset Windows 11 or 10, as instructed on this Microsoft page. Note that you’ll need to reinstall all games and third-party software not pre-installed on your PC after resetting Windows.
- Install the new driver version for your graphics card with a method in our GPU driver update guide.
- Delete any unnecessary launch option set for Rust in Steam.
- Disable unneeded third-party background programs before starting Rust via Task Manager (or apply a clean boot).
Although there isn’t any guaranteed way to fix Rust crashing on startup, the potential solutions above have worked for some players. So, maybe one of those troubleshooting methods will kick-start Rust on your PC. You can also send a support ticket to Rust’s developer for more potential fixes by clicking Submit a Ticket on this Facepunch page.
