• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Techbout

Technology Simplified.

  • Windows
  • iOS
  • Mac
  • Android
  • Office

Fix: Computer Showing Wrong Time in Windows 10/11

By: Waseem Patwegar

If your computer is always showing wrong time, you can find below the steps to fix the problem of slow or incorrect computer clock in Windows 10/11.

Computer Showing Wrong Time

Wrong Date & Time in Windows 10/11

If the time on your computer is always wrong or keeps changing, the problem could be due to the computer losing contact with Windows Time Service, Incorrect time & date settings, malware or hardware related issues.

While the problem of computer showing incorrect time due to hardware related issues is more common on older computers, it is not uncommon to find the CMOS battery running out of power on newer computers.

With this understanding, let us go ahead and take a look at the steps to fix slow or incorrect computer clock on Windows 10/11 computers.

1. Manually Synchronize the Clock on Your Computer

The first step would be to manually synchronize the clock on your computer.

Windows 10: Go to Settings > select Time & Language > On the next screen, select Date & Time in the left-pane and click on the Sync Now button in the right-pane.

Manually Synchronize Clock Option in Windows 10

Windows 11: Go to Settings > select Time & Language in the left-pane. In the right-pane scroll down to “Additional Settings” section and click on Sync now button.

Manually Synchronize Clock Option in Windows 11

It should take only a few seconds to to Synchronize the time on your computer with Windows Time Service.

2. Change Time Zone

A common reason for computer showing incorrect time is due to the Time Zone on the computer not matching with the Time Zone in which the computer is located.

Windows 11: Go to Settings > Time & Language > Select Time & Language tab in the left-pane. In the right-pane, select the right Time Zone as applicable in your case.

Select Time Zone Option in Windows 11

On the same screen, scroll down to “Additional Settings” section and click on Sync Now button.

Windows 10: Go to Settings > Time & Language > select Date & Time in the left-pane. In the right pane, use the down-arrow to select the right Time Zone as applicable in your case.

Set Time Zone in Windows 10

After this, scroll down and click on the Sync now button to set the most accurate Date & Time on your computer.

3. Switch to Another Time Server

The default option in Windows 10/11 is to automatically obtain time from Windows Time Server. Since the computer is still showing incorrect time, switch to another Time Server and see if this helps in fixing the problem.

1. Right-click on the Start button and click on Run. In the Run Command Window, type timedate.cpl and click on OK.

Open Time Services Using Run Command

2. On Date and Time screen, switch to Internet Time tab and click on Change Settings button.

Change Internet Time Settings Option in Windows

3. On the next screen, check the little box next to Synchronize with an Internet time server, select time.nist.gov or any other Time service and click on Update Now button.

Internet Time Settings Screen on Windows Computer

Note: You can stick to the default Microsoft Time Server (time.windows.com) or choose another server.

4. Once the Synchronization process is completed, you will see “The clock was successfully synchronized” message.

5. Make Windows Time Service Automatic

Set Windows Time Service to automatically start on the computer and see if this helps in fixing the problem.

1. Press Windows + R buttons on the keyboard of your computer to open Run command. In the Run Command window, type Services.msc and click on OK.

Open Windows Services Using Run Command

2. On the Services screen, right-click on Windows Time and click on Properties.

Open Windows Time Properties

3. On the next screen, change the Startup type to Automatic and click on the Start button.

Start Windows Time Service

After this, start monitoring the time on your computer for a few days.

If the computer clock starts losing time again, the problem might be due to presence of malware or the CMOS battery on your computer be near the end of its life.

5. Scan the Computer for Malware

The problem of slow or incorrect clock on your computer could be due to presence of Malware or Viruses on the computer.

Hence, make sure that the Antivirus program on your computer is up to date with the latest virus definations. This can be done by clicking on Live Update option as available on most third-party antivirus software programs.

In addition to this, you can scan your computer for malware using Microsoft’s free Malware Removal Tool.

6. Replace CMOS Battery

CMOS which stands for ‘Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor’ is a static Random Access Memory device that stores the BIOS values on the computer, including date and time information.

The CMOS chip is powered by a Lithium Ion battery so as to keep the BIOS data active even when the computer is switched.

CMOS Battery

Image source: biosflash.com

When the CMOS battery goes bad or comes to end of its design life, CMOS chip starts losing information and this is indicated by the slowing down of the clock on your computer.

The simple solution in this case is to replace the CMOS battery with a new one. CMOS batteries are inexpensive and very easy to replace in the case of desktop computers.

However, replacing a CMOS battery on a Laptop computer is not easy, especially on newer computers that are not designed to be repair friendly.

Related
  • Change 24 Hour Clock to 12 Hour Clock in Windows 10
  • How to Change Time Zone in Windows 11/10

You May Also Like
    • Find Router IP Address in Windows 11
      How to Find Router IP Address in Windows 11
      • Microsoft Photos App Not Working In Windows 11
        Fix: Microsoft Photos App Not Working In Windows 11
        • High CPU Usage By Service Host Local System
          Fix: High CPU Usage By Service Host Local System

Primary Sidebar

Twitter
Facebook



Gadget Guide

  • Should You Buy MacBook or Windows Laptop
  • How Much RAM Is Required in a Computer?
  • 12 Reasons to Switch to Chromebook
  • Check RAM Size & Type In Windows 10/11
  • Which Chromecast Model to Buy



About | Privacy Policy | Disclosure | Terms | Contact
© 2023 Techbout.com · All Rights Reserved