sodcalculator

10 Tech How-To

How to Fix the Clock on Windows 10

Guide 10-11671 · Updated · Step by step

If your Windows 10 clock is showing the wrong time, date, or time zone, it can disrupt scheduled tasks, email timestamps, and website security certificates. This guide walks you through the standard fixes, from simple settings adjustments to command-line repairs, so you can get your system clock back on track.

What You’ll Need

  • Administrator access to your Windows 10 PC (to run some commands).
  • An internet connection (for automatic time sync).

Step-by-Step

  1. Check the basics: time zone and date. Right-click the clock in the taskbar and select Adjust date/time. Ensure Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically are both toggled On. If the time zone is wrong, turn off automatic time zone, select the correct one from the dropdown, then turn it back on if you prefer.
  2. Sync the clock manually. In the same Date & time settings, scroll down to Additional settings and click Sync now under Synchronize your clock. If it succeeds, your clock should update immediately.
  3. Restart the Windows Time service. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. Find Windows Time in the list, right-click it, and select Restart. If it’s not running, right-click and choose Start. Then right-click again and select Properties; ensure the startup type is Automatic and click OK.
  4. Use the command prompt to force a resync. Right-click the Start button and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin). Run the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
    1. w32tm /unregister
    2. w32tm /register
    3. net start w32time
    4. w32tm /resync

    If you get an error on the last command, try w32tm /resync /force.

  5. Change the time server (if sync fails). Open the command prompt as admin again. Run w32tm /config /manualpeerlist:"time.windows.com" /syncfromflags:manual /update then w32tm /resync. You can also use other public servers like time.nist.gov or pool.ntp.org.
  6. Check the CMOS battery (if time resets after shutdown). If your clock loses time every time you turn off the PC, the small battery on the motherboard (CR2032) is likely dead. You’ll need to open the computer case, replace the battery, and then set the time again. This is a hardware fix; consult your PC’s manual for the exact location.

Common Mistakes

  • Wrong time zone: Setting the correct time zone is essential; even a one-hour difference can make the clock appear broken.
  • Forgetting to restart the service: Just changing settings may not apply immediately; a service restart often forces the update.
  • Not running commands as admin: The command prompt must be elevated, or you’ll get access denied errors.
  • Assuming it’s a software issue: If the clock resets to a specific date (like 2000 or 2010) after every reboot, it’s almost always a dead CMOS battery, not a Windows problem.

Tips

  • Keep your Windows 10 updated; sometimes time-related bugs are fixed in cumulative updates.
  • If you use a VPN, it might interfere with automatic time zone detection. Turn off the VPN and set the time zone manually if you experience issues.
  • For laptops, check the power settings: in Control Panel > Power Options, click Change plan settings for your active plan, then Change advanced power settings. Look for PCI Express and set Link State Power Management to Off—this can sometimes prevent the clock from drifting.
  • Run a full antivirus scan if the clock keeps changing to a random time, as some malware tamper with the system clock.

Troubleshooting

If the clock still won’t sync:

  • Check your internet connection. The sync requires access to an NTP server on port 123 (UDP). If you have a strict firewall, make sure that port is open.
  • Run w32tm /query /status in the command prompt to see the last sync result. Look for Source and Last Successful Sync Time.
  • If you see “The computer did not resync because no time data was available”, try the manual peerlist command from Step 5.
  • If you get “Access is denied” when running w32tm, make sure you’re running the command prompt as administrator.
  • As a last resort, you can disable and re-enable the Windows Time service: in services.msc, right-click Windows Time > Properties, set startup type to Disabled, click OK, then set it back to Automatic and start it again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my clock keep losing time even after I fix it?
This is usually a dead CMOS battery on the motherboard. Replace it with a new CR2032 battery.

Can I manually set the time instead of using automatic sync?
Yes, you can turn off Set time automatically and manually enter the date and time, but it will drift over time. It’s best to keep automatic sync on.

Why is my clock showing the wrong time zone?
Automatic time zone detection can fail if your location services are off or if you’re connected to a VPN. Turn off the automatic setting and pick the correct zone manually.

What does the “w32tm” command do?
It’s the Windows Time service command-line tool. It lets you configure and force the system clock to synchronize with an external time server.

Will fixing the clock affect my files or apps?
No, fixing the clock only corrects the system time. It won’t change your files or installed apps, but it may fix issues with email timestamps and website certificates.

Is it safe to change the time server from the default?
Yes, using a public NTP server like time.nist.gov or pool.ntp.org is safe and often more reliable than the default Windows server.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →