Before, when you wanted to know what time it was you checked your watch. Now, to see what time it is most people check their phones, but there are times when it’s easier to see what time it is on your computer. This isn’t always possible since Windows, like any other OS, can have issues and not be able to show you the right time.
Your computer is not going to suffer massive consequences if the right time is not displayed, but it can be annoying. Windows Time is the service that should always have your computer showing you the right time, but no service is perfect, and it can fail from time to time.
Causes for Windows Time Is Incorrect
There are a few reasons as to why your Windows 10 computer is not showing you the right time. For example, maybe the time zone that is shown in the wrong one.
Also, if you have an older computer the CMOS battery may have gone bad. How does the battery affect your computer’s time? Well, the CMOS battery is what gives the CMOS chip its power, and it’s the CMOS chip that saves system configuration information, and within that info is the time and date.
Without the CMOS battery, the chip would not be able to save the time and date info whenever you turn off your computer. Whether it’s the wrong time zone or not the following tips should help you get back on track.
How to Fix the Wrong Time in Windows 11
Like I mentioned before, one of the causes that you’re seeing the wrong time and date is a bad CMOS battery. Replacing the battery is easy and beginner friendly. First, you’ll need to open the computer case and locate the CMOS battery that is going to look like a silver coin. It will be located on the motherboard.
If the CMOS battery has a clip over it, make sure to slide it out and not bend the clip. Even if you have a hard time sliding it out, don’t bend it or the new CMOS battery will have a hard time staying in place. You’ll now have another issue to have to deal with if you bend that clip.
Once you have the new battery slide it in where the old one was and add the CMOS values. Turning on your computer and set them to default. Make sure to save the CMOS values you’ve entered. There are quite a few setups that by pressing F20 you can save the data.
There are some computers that don’t have a removable battery and will only allow you to install the new battery in the second battery socket.
How to Set the Right Time Zone on Windows
To add the right time zone right-click on the time in the taskbar and click on the Adjust date/time option.
Scroll down until you can see the Time Zone section and see if the right one is selected. If you need to change it, click on the arrow pointing down and look through the listed time zones.
It’s also possible to change the time server. You can do this by pressing the Windows and R button to open the run box. Once it’s open type control panel and click on Clock and Region. When the new window appears click on set time and date.
The Date and Time window should appear and when it does click on the Internet Time tab. Click on the Change settings button in the middle of the box and in the new window check the box for the option that says Synchronize with an Internet time server.
When the Server box is no longer greyed out, click on the drop-down menu and choose the system clock you want it to sync with.
Once you’ve selected the time server click on the update now button to the side. After that, click on the OK button. If you ever want to undo this, uncheck the Synchronize with an Internet time server box.
How to Fix Poor Synchronization in Windows Time
You could also be looking with poor synchronization settings. To rule this possibility out press the Windows and R keys so the run box appears. In the box, type services.msc and the Services Window should appear.
Use the sidebar to go the bottom of all the option on the right pane and right-click on Windows Time. Click on Properties and once you’re there change the Start type to Automatic. To finish click Start, followed by OK.
If you still have problems, your computer may not be syncing properly with the time server. Try the steps in our post “Fix: Windows Won’t Sync with Time Server“.
Conclusion
If none of the above tips worked, another possibility is that your computer could have malware. Give your computer a malware scan to also rule out this possibility. How unsynchronized is the time on your computer? Share your experience with me in the comments below.
