After a Rust wipe or a forced update, Oxide (uMod) plugins often stop loading. The reasons are predictable — an outdated Oxide build, a broken plugin, or a missing dependency. Here's the fix.
Quick answer
Rust Oxide/uMod plugins usually stop loading after a wipe or forced update because Oxide no longer matches the new Rust build. Update Oxide (or Carbon) to the latest version, restart the server, then check the console and oxide/logs for any single plugin that fails to compile or is missing a dependency, and update or remove it.
"Plugins not loading" after a wipe or update nearly always comes down to four things. Match the console message to the cause and go straight to the fix — the first one clears most post-update breakage:
| Console / symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| All plugins fail right after a Rust update | Oxide is out of date | Update Oxide to match the current Rust build |
| One plugin: "failed to compile" | That plugin is outdated | Get the newer .cs from its uMod page |
| "Missing dependency" | A required library isn't installed | Install the dependency plugin/extension it lists |
| A plugin does nothing / isn't seen | Wrong folder | Put .cs in oxide/plugins/, configs in oxide/config/ |
Cause 1: Oxide is out of date
Rust force-updates regularly, and Oxide/uMod must match the current Rust build. If Oxide is behind, plugins won't compile. Update Oxide to the latest build for your branch and restart the server. This single step fixes most post-update breakage.
Update Rust first, then update Oxide to match, then start the server. Updating them out of order is the #1 cause of "plugins not loading" after a wipe.
Cause 2: the plugin itself is outdated
A plugin written for an older API can fail to compile after an update. Check the plugin's uMod page for a newer version, replace the .cs file in oxide/plugins/, and it will hot-reload automatically.
Cause 3: a missing dependency
Some plugins need a library plugin or an extension. If the console says "missing dependency", install the required plugin/extension and reload. Common ones include image/economics libraries the plugin lists on its page.
Cause 4: wrong folder
Plugins go in oxide/plugins/ as .cs files. Configs land in oxide/config/. A plugin dropped anywhere else simply won't be seen. Verify the path.
Reload without a full restart
Oxide watches the plugins folder and hot-reloads. You can also reload manually from the console:
oxide.reload MyPlugin
# or reload everything
oxide.reload *After any Rust update: update Oxide to match, then update your plugins. That order solves nearly every "not loading" report.
Cause 5: "Plugin failed to compile" from a syntax or API error
This exact console message means the C# code itself won't build — either the plugin author shipped a bug, or a Rust/Oxide API change removed or renamed something the plugin relies on. The compile error in the console names the file and line; if you didn't edit the plugin yourself, the fix is almost always to grab the latest version from uMod rather than trying to patch the code.
How to prevent Rust plugins not loading after every wipe
- Update Oxide before you update your plugins — never the other way round.
- Subscribe to update notifications on each plugin's uMod page so you know before a wipe, not after.
- Keep a test/staging server on the same branch to check plugin compatibility before a live wipe.
- Remove plugins you've abandoned — an unmaintained plugin is the one most likely to break on the next Rust update.
- Check
oxide.pluginsin console after every restart to confirm everything actually loaded.
Related Rust errors
If plugins load fine but players get kicked by anti-cheat, see Rust "Disconnected: EAC". If the server itself isn't appearing to players, check Rust server not showing in browser. For plugin ideas once things are stable, see our best Rust server plugins list and best Rust server settings.
Rust is a trademark of Facepunch Studios. Oxide/uMod and listed plugins are the property of their respective authors. ESAGAMES is an independent hosting provider, not affiliated with or endorsed by Facepunch or the uMod project.