Your computer shows the wrong time again. You fix it manually, but after a restart, it’s off by hours or even days. This happens more often than you might think, and it can mess up your schedule, file timestamps, and even prevent some apps from working properly.
Here’s what you need to know about fixing this annoying issue. You’ll learn why your Windows 10 computer refuses to keep the correct time and how to get it back on track without calling a technician.
What’s Really Happening With Your Clock
Your Windows 10 system is supposed to check the internet every week or so and update its clock automatically. This process is called time synchronization, and it keeps your computer in sync with super accurate time servers around the globe. When this feature stops working, your PC basically forgets what time it actually is.
Think of it like having a watch that nobody ever winds. It might show a time, but that time becomes less and less accurate as days go by. Your computer’s internal clock runs on a tiny battery inside your motherboard, and sometimes this clock drifts away from the real time.
Files you save, emails you send, and even security certificates all depend on your computer knowing the correct time. If your clock is way off, you might see weird errors when trying to visit secure websites. Certificates have expiration dates, and if your computer thinks it’s still 2018, it’ll reject certificates that are perfectly valid in 2025.
Beyond the technical stuff, there’s the simple frustration of missing meetings because your calendar reminds you at the wrong time. Or uploading files to cloud storage and finding them marked with completely wrong dates. These little problems add up fast, and that’s why getting your time sync working matters more than you’d expect.
Date and Time Not Syncing: Likely Causes
Several things can throw off your computer’s ability to sync time correctly. Let’s look at what usually causes this headache so you can pinpoint your specific situation.
1. Windows Time Service Is Disabled
Your computer has a specific service that handles time syncing. It runs quietly in the background, checking internet time servers and updating your clock. Sometimes this service gets turned off accidentally, maybe after you installed certain software or changed system settings.
Without this service running, your computer has no way to reach out and grab the correct time from the internet. It just sits there with whatever time it has, which slowly drifts further from reality.
2. Firewall or Antivirus Blocking Connection
Time servers use a specific type of internet connection called NTP, which stands for Network Time Protocol. Your firewall or antivirus software might see this as suspicious activity and block it. This happens more often with third-party security software that’s set to maximum protection.
Your computer tries to sync, but the request never makes it through. From your PC’s perspective, it’s like shouting into a void. The time server is out there, ready to respond, but your security software won’t let the conversation happen.
Some workplace networks block NTP traffic too. If you’re using your work computer or connected to a corporate network, IT departments sometimes restrict this to force all computers to sync with their internal servers instead.
3. Wrong Time Server Settings
Windows comes pre-configured to check certain time servers, usually time.windows.com. Sometimes these settings get corrupted or changed. Maybe you tried fixing something before and accidentally pointed your computer to a server that doesn’t exist anymore.
If your computer is trying to contact a dead server, it’ll keep failing silently. You won’t see error messages popping up. Your PC just quietly gives up and sticks with whatever time it has.
4. Battery on the Motherboard Is Dead
Inside your computer, there’s a small coin-shaped battery that keeps your BIOS settings and internal clock running even when the PC is unplugged. This battery typically lasts three to five years, but it can die sooner. When it does, your computer loses track of time every time you shut it down.
You might notice this if your PC always boots up thinking it’s January 1st of some random year. That’s a dead giveaway that the CMOS battery needs replacing.
Even if the battery is just weak and not completely dead, it can cause time drift. Your clock might stay somewhat close to the right time but never quite nail it, even after syncing.
5. Incorrect Time Zone or Daylight Saving Settings
Your computer might be syncing perfectly fine with the time server, but displaying the wrong time because your time zone is set incorrectly. This isn’t technically a sync issue, but it looks identical from your perspective.
Daylight saving time settings can also cause problems. If your region recently changed its rules about when to spring forward or fall back, Windows might not have updated its database. Your computer applies outdated rules and ends up an hour off.
Date and Time Not Syncing: How to Fix
Getting your time sync working again usually takes just a few minutes. Here are the fixes that work most of the time, starting with the simplest ones.
1. Restart Windows Time Service
The first thing to check is whether the time service is actually running. Press the Windows key and type “services” to open the Services window. Scroll down until you find “Windows Time” in the list.
If the status column is blank instead of showing “Running,” you’ve found your problem. Right-click on Windows Time and select Start. Then right-click again, choose Properties, and change the Startup type to Automatic. This ensures the service starts every time you boot up your computer.
Once you’ve done this, your computer should start syncing again within a few hours. You can force an immediate sync by opening Command Prompt as administrator and typing w32tm /resync. If it works, you’ll see a message saying the command completed successfully.
2. Update Your Time Server Address
Sometimes switching to a different time server solves the problem instantly. Right-click the clock in your taskbar and select “Adjust date/time.” Scroll down and click “Additional date, time, & regional settings,” then “Date and Time.”
Click the Internet Time tab, then hit Change settings. You’ll see a dropdown menu with server options. Try pool.ntp.org instead of the default Windows server. This is a group of volunteer time servers that’s usually very reliable.
After selecting a new server, click Update now to test it. If it works, you’ll see your clock adjust to the correct time. If it fails, try another server from the list. time.nist.gov is another good option that tends to work when others don’t.
3. Check Your Firewall and Antivirus
Your security software needs to allow NTP traffic through port 123. Open your firewall settings and look for any rules blocking NTP or port 123. If you’re using Windows Firewall, it usually allows this by default, but third-party firewalls might not.
For popular antivirus programs, check the network protection or firewall section of the settings. Look for allowed programs or exceptions, and make sure Windows Time is on the list. Each antivirus handles this differently, so you might need to search for your specific software’s instructions.
After making changes, try syncing again using the methods mentioned earlier. Sometimes you need to restart your computer for firewall changes to take full effect.
4. Fix Time Zone and Daylight Saving Settings
Open your date and time settings again and make absolutely sure your time zone matches where you actually are. It sounds basic, but this trips up more people than you’d think, especially after traveling or moving.
Below the time zone setting, you’ll see an option to automatically adjust for daylight saving time. Make sure this is turned on if your region observes DST. If it’s already on and you’re still having issues, try turning it off, restarting, and turning it back on.
In rare cases, Windows has outdated DST rules. Check for Windows updates, as Microsoft releases patches that update these rules when countries change their DST policies.
5. Replace the CMOS Battery
If your computer loses time every time you power it off completely, you likely need a new CMOS battery. This is a simple fix if you’re comfortable opening your computer case. The battery looks like a large silver coin sitting flat on the motherboard.
Here’s how to replace it:
- Shut down your computer completely and unplug it from the wall
- Open your computer case (consult your manual for specifics)
- Locate the round, flat battery on the motherboard
- Carefully pop it out using a small flathead screwdriver or your fingernail
- Note which side faces up (usually the side with text)
- Insert a fresh CR2032 battery in the same orientation
- Close up your case and power on
After replacing the battery, you’ll need to set the time manually once, then enable automatic syncing. Your computer should hold the correct time from that point forward.
6. Contact a Computer Technician
If you’ve tried everything here and your time still won’t sync properly, something more serious might be wrong. You could have a failing motherboard, corrupted system files, or network issues that need professional attention. A qualified computer technician can run diagnostic tools and check things that are harder to access through normal Windows settings. Sometimes problems that seem simple on the surface point to bigger hardware or software issues underneath.
Wrapping Up
Time sync issues feel minor until they start affecting your daily routine. Your computer depends on accurate time for way more than you might realize, from simple file saving to complex security features.
Most of these fixes take just minutes to try. Start with the easiest options first, and you’ll likely have your clock running perfectly again before you know it. Your computer will thank you, and so will your schedule.