How to Fix Time on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide to Adjusting Clock

Is the time on your Windows 11 computer always wrong? Maybe your clock keeps resetting, shows the wrong timezone, or doesn’t sync properly. A misconfigured clock might seem minor, but it can cause big issues — from login errors and failed app connections to certificate problems and browser warnings.

Don’t worry — fixing time on Windows 11 is easy once you know where to look. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through all the reliable ways to adjust, sync, and fix time issues on your Windows 11 PC.

Why Correct Time Matters in Windows 11

The system clock isn’t just for display — it’s essential for many system processes. If your computer’s time is off, you may experience:

• Problems signing into Microsoft accounts or email.

• Browser certificate errors like “Your clock is ahead.”

• File synchronization or OneDrive issues.

• Software licensing errors.

• Network or domain authentication failures.

That’s why ensuring your Windows 11 clock is accurate is more important than you might think.

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Common Reasons Your Windows 11 Time Is Wrong

If your time keeps changing or won’t stay correct, one or more of these could be the cause:

• Incorrect time zone configuration.

• Internet Time Sync disabled.

• Stopped Windows Time (w32time) service.

• Battery (CMOS) failure on older PCs.

• Corrupted registry or system files.

• VPN or third-party software interfering.

The fix depends on the cause — but don’t worry, we’ll cover every possible method below.

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How to Fix Time on Windows 11 (Quick Overview)

Here’s a quick summary before we go step-by-step:

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1. Check Your Time Zone Settings

The most common reason your PC shows the wrong time is a mismatched time zone.

🕐 Steps to fix:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

2. Go to Time & language → Date & time.

3. Turn off Set time zone automatically (temporarily).

4. Under Time zone, choose the correct one for your region.

💡 Tip: If you travel frequently, leave Set time zone automatically enabled — Windows will update it based on your location.

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2. Enable Automatic Time Synchronization

Windows 11 can sync your clock with an online time server automatically. This is the simplest way to keep your clock accurate.

✅ How to enable:

1. Open Settings → Time & language → Date & time.

2. Turn on both:

   • Set time automatically

   • Set time zone automatically (optional)

3. Scroll down and click Sync now under Additional settings.

After syncing, check the time. It should now match your local standard time.

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3. Manually Adjust Time and Date

If automatic syncing doesn’t work, you can manually set your clock.

⏰ Steps:

1. Open Settings > Time & language > Date & time.

2. Turn off “Set time automatically.”

3. Click Change under Set the date and time manually.

4. Enter the correct date and time → click Change.

🧩 Tip: Manual setting is best for temporary use — switch back to automatic afterward to stay synced.

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4. Change or Add an Internet Time Server

Sometimes, Windows 11 fails to sync because the default Microsoft time server is unreachable. You can change or add a new one.

🌐 Steps:

1. Open Control Panel (search for it).

2. Go to Clock and Region > Date and Time > Internet Time tab.

3. Click Change settings.

4. Check Synchronize with an Internet time server.

5. Choose a different server, such as:

   • time.windows.com

   • pool.ntp.org

   • time.nist.gov

6. Click Update now > OK.

Your system will immediately attempt to sync with the new server.

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5. Restart the Windows Time Service

The Windows Time service (w32time) is what handles synchronization. If it’s stopped or stuck, your clock won’t sync.

⚙️ Steps:

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.

2. Scroll down and find Windows Time.

3. Right-click it → choose Restart.

4. If it’s not running, right-click → Start.

5. Set Startup type to Automatic.

💡 This ensures Windows starts the time service automatically on every boot.

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6. Use Command Prompt to Force Time Sync

If syncing still fails, you can manually trigger it using Command Prompt.

🧠 Steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

2. Type the following commands one by one:

   net stop w32time
w32tm /unregister
w32tm /register
net start w32time
w32tm /resync


3. Press Enter after each command.

You’ll see the message:
✅ “The command completed successfully” if syncing worked.

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7. Check BIOS/CMOS Battery (For Persistent Time Errors)

If your time resets every time you restart or shut down, your CMOS battery (a small coin-cell battery on the motherboard) might be failing. This battery powers the BIOS clock when your PC is off.

🔋 Steps to fix:

1. Shut down your computer completely.

2. Unplug the power cable.

3. Open the PC case (desktop) or back panel (laptop).

4. Locate a round silver battery (CR2032) on the motherboard.

5. Replace it with a new CR2032 battery.

🧩 After replacement, boot your PC and reset BIOS time once.
This fix often resolves “time resets after reboot” problems permanently.

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8. Disable Third-Party Apps That Interfere with Time Settings

VPNs, system optimizers, and antivirus programs sometimes override or block time synchronization.

🚫 How to check:

1. Disable your VPN temporarily.

2. Pause third-party firewalls or antivirus.

3. Try syncing time again from Settings.

If the sync works afterward, whitelist the Windows Time service in your security software.

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9. Fix Timezone Issues for Traveling Users

Windows 11 uses your device’s location service to adjust the time zone automatically — but if that’s turned off, your clock may stay stuck in another region.

🌍 To fix:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Location.

2. Turn on Location Services.

3. Then go to Settings > Time & language > Date & time.

4. Enable Set time zone automatically.

Now, whenever you travel or connect from another city, Windows will automatically adjust your timezone.

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10. Run Windows Troubleshooter

Windows 11 includes a built-in troubleshooter for time and date issues.

🧩 Steps:

1. Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.

2. Scroll down and find Date & Time or Windows Update.

3. Click Run next to it.

Follow the on-screen prompts — it will detect and repair common clock and sync errors automatically.

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11. Keep Windows Updated

Sometimes, system bugs or corrupted services cause time errors — and Microsoft fixes them in later updates.

🔄 To update:

1. Open Settings > Windows Update.

2. Click Check for updates.

3. Download and install all available updates.

Restart your PC afterward to apply them.

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🏁 Conclusion

Fixing the time on Windows 11 isn’t complicated — it just depends on what’s causing the issue. Whether it’s the wrong timezone, a stuck Windows Time service, or a failing CMOS battery, you now have multiple proven ways to restore accurate time.

To recap:

• Start with automatic time and timezone settings.

• Switch or resync the time server if syncing fails.

• Restart or re-register the Windows Time service.

• Replace the CMOS battery if time resets after shutdown.

By following these steps, you’ll keep your PC’s clock accurate, avoid login or browser errors, and ensure everything runs smoothly.

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❓ FAQs

1. Why does my Windows 11 clock keep showing the wrong time?

Usually, it’s because of the wrong time zone or a stopped Windows Time service. Turn on automatic syncing and correct your timezone in Settings.

2. How do I force Windows 11 to sync time?

Open Command Prompt (Admin) and run:

This forces immediate synchronization with your time server.

3. My computer clock resets after every restart — why?

Your CMOS battery may be dead. Replace it with a CR2032 coin-cell battery to retain time settings when powered off.

4. Can a VPN cause time errors in Windows 11?

Yes. VPNs can change your region or block access to time servers. Disable it temporarily when syncing time.

5. Which time server is best to use?

Try using pool.ntp.org or time.nist.gov — they’re reliable global NTP servers with high uptime.

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🧩 Summary: Key Takeaways

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Final Tip:
An accurate clock isn’t just about time — it’s about system stability, security, and network reliability. Keep Windows updated, enable time synchronization, and your PC will always stay on schedule.