Step-by-Step Guide to Manually Set Time on Windows 11

In this blog, we’ll guide you through the steps to manually fix the clock time on your Windows 11 device. Our simple instructions will help you fix your time settings and stay organized.

Here is a quick step guide to manually fix clock time in Windows 11:

• Open the Settings app
• Click on Time & language
• Click on Date & time
• Toggle off the “Set time automatically” option
• Click on the “Change” button next to “Set the date and time manually”
• Enter the correct date and time
• Click on the “Change” button to save the changes

However, continue reading the full blog as this is just an overview of the steps; further in the blog, we have mentioned more methods with their detailed, step-by-step instructions to manually or automatically fix the clock time in Windows 11.

Why time settings matter ?

Before we get into the how-to, let’s quickly talk about why having the correct time on your computer is important:

• Synchronization: First and foremost, many applications and services rely on accurate time settings for synchronization, including email, calendar, and cloud storage.

• Security: Additionally, incorrect time settings can cause security certificate errors, preventing you from accessing secure websites.

• Productivity: Finally, knowing the correct time helps you manage your schedule, meet deadlines, and stay organized.

Also Check: How to Sync or Load Windows 11 clock at startup ?

How to manually fix clock time in Windows 11 ?

Let’s start with the manual method. This is useful if you prefer to have full control over your time settings or if automatic time synchronization isn’t working correctly.

Method 1: Adjust Date and Time Settings

Open Settings

• First, open the Settings app. You can do this by clicking on the Start menu and selecting the gear icon, or by pressing Win + I on your keyboard.

Navigate to Time & Language

• Next, in the Settings menu, select Time & Language. Specifically, this is where you’ll find all the options related to date, time, language, and region settings.

Adjust Date & Time

• Subsequently, in the Time & Language menu, click on Date & Time. At this point, you will see the option to set the date and time manually.

Turn Off Automatic Settings

• After that, to set the time manually, you first need to turn off the automatic settings. Therefore, toggle off the switch that says Set time automatically.

Set the Date and Time

• Following this, once automatic settings are off, you’ll see options to Change date and time. Click on this button, and a new window will pop up. Here, you can manually set the correct date and time. Once you’ve made your changes, click Change to apply them.

Confirm Changes

• Finally, make sure the time displayed is correct. Additionally, you can cross-check with another reliable time source, like your phone or a time-telling website.  

Method 2: Sync Time with Internet Time Server

Open Control Panel:

• To begin, press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

• Following that, type control and press Enter.

Navigate to Date and Time:

• Next, in the Control Panel, click on Clock and Region.

• Following that, select Date and Time.

Internet Time Tab:

• Furthermore, in the Date and Time window, go to the Internet Time tab.

• After that, click on Change settings.

Synchronize with Internet Time Server:

• Subsequently, check the box for Synchronize with an Internet time server.

• Then, choose a server from the dropdown list (e.g., time.windows.com).

• Next, click Update now to sync your clock.

• Lastly, click OK to close the window.  

Also Check: How to change eastern standard time zone in Win 11 ?

How to automatically fix clock time in Windows 11 ?  

Now, let’s go over how to set the time automatically. This method is preferred for keeping your computer’s clock accurate without manual interference.

However, manually fixing the clock time may cause interference in Windows 11 and lead to synchronization issues.

Open Settings

• First, just like before, open the Settings app by clicking on the Start menu and selecting the gear icon, or by pressing Win + I.

Navigate to Time & Language

• Then, in the Settings menu, select Time & Language.

Enable Automatic Settings

• Next, in the Time & Language menu, click on Date & Time. Here, you’ll see the option to Set time automatically. Consequently, toggle this switch on. Windows will now use an internet time server to keep your clock in sync.

Adjust Time Zone

• Additionally, while you’re in the Date & Time settings, make sure your time zone is set correctly. Moreover, toggle the switch for Set time zone automatically if you want Windows to handle this based on your location. Alternatively, if you prefer to set it manually, turn off the automatic setting and select your time zone from the dropdown menu.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, even with these steps, you might encounter issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

Time is Incorrect Even with Automatic Settings

If your time is still incorrect despite having automatic settings enabled, try these steps:

• Sync Now: First, in the Date & Time settings, under Additional settings, you’ll find a button labeled Sync now. Subsequently, click this to manually sync your clock with an internet time server.

• Check Time Server: Next, sometimes the default time server might be down or unreachable. In this case, you can change the time server by clicking on Additional date, time & regional settings -> Set the time and date -> Internet Time -> Change settings. As a result, you can select a different server like time.nist.gov.

• Internet Connection: Finally, ensure your internet connection is stable. After all, automatic time settings require an active internet connection to sync correctly.

Time Zone Issues

Furthermore, if your time zone is incorrect, make sure the settings reflect your current location. This can often fix the problem.

• Automatic Time Zone: Firstly, ensure the Set time zone automatically switch is turned on in the Date & Time settings.

• Manual Adjustment: Secondly, if the automatic setting isn’t working, turn it off and manually select your time zone from the dropdown menu.

Clock Resets After Reboot

• Moreover, if your clock resets to an incorrect time after restarting your computer, it could be a hardware issue, such as a dead CMOS battery on your motherboard. In this case, replacing the CMOS battery can often resolve this issue.

Additional Tips for Keeping Accurate Time

Here are some extra tips to ensure your time settings are always accurate:

• Regularly Sync Time: First, even if your computer is set to sync time automatically, manually syncing it occasionally can help.

• Update Windows: Additionally, ensure your Windows 11 is up to date, as updates can fix bugs related to time settings.

• Check Hardware: Finally, if you continue to have issues, consider checking your hardware, especially the CMOS battery.

Also Check: How to make application stay on top on Windows 10/11 ?

Conclusion

In conclusion, maintaining accurate time settings on your Windows 11 device is crucial for both functionality and productivity.

Moreover, whether you prefer to manually fix clock time in Windows 11 or use automatic synchronization, you now have the tools to keep your clock running accurately.

Additionally, remember, while automatic time settings are generally more convenient, knowing how to manually adjust your clock can be invaluable when troubleshooting issues.

Furthermore, if you encounter any persistent problems, don’t forget to check your internet connection, time zone settings, and hardware components like the CMOS battery.

Finally, regular system updates and occasional manual syncs can also help prevent time-related issues.

Source: [ howtogeek, microsoft, lifewire, geeksforgeeks ]

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