The date and time settings on your Windows PC are essential. Various applications rely on this information to provide you with notifications, reminders, and accurate timer functions.
However, there are times when these services may not operate correctly due to the Windows System clock being out of sync. When this happens, you might notice an incorrect date and time, along with an error message stating, ‘Time Synchronization failed’.
Why Did Windows Time Fail to Sync?
There are several factors that can lead to Time Synchronization failure on Windows. Below are some of the most common causes.
Incorrect Time & Date Settings.
Viruses or Malware Infection.
Problem with the Windows Time Service.
Incorrect Firewall Settings.
Systme File Corruption.
Problem with the CMOS Battery.
Since we don’t know why time synchronization failed in Windows, we will have to follow several troubleshooting methods. Here’s what you can do to resolve the time problem on Windows.
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1. Check the Date & Time Settings on Windows
The first thing you should do is ensure that the date and time are set to update automatically. Here’s how to check your Windows PC’s date and time settings.
1. Launch the Settings app on your PC.
2. When the Settings app opens, switch to the Time & Language.
3. On the right side, click on Date & Time.
4. Next, enable the toggle beside Set time automatically.
5. Scroll to the Additional Settings section and click Sync Now.
2. Change the Time Server
The next best thing you can do to fix the time sync failed issue is to change the time server on Windows 11. Here’s how you can change the time server on your Windows PC in simple steps.
1. Open Windows search and type date and time settings. Next, open the Date and Time settings option from the list of search results.
2. On the Date & time screen, scroll down and click on Additional Clocks.
3. On the Date and Time prompt, select Internet Time.
4. Next, click on the Change Settings button.
5. Click on the Server drop-down and select time.windows.com. Once done, click on the Update Now button.
3. Restart the Windows Time Service
For time sync to function, the Windows Time Service should run constantly in the background. If this service is experiencing any problems, time sync will fail and lead to errors. You can try restarting the Windows Time Service and see if it helps.
1. Press the Windows Key + R button on your keyboard. This will open the RUN dialog box.
2. When the RUN dialog box opens, type services.msc and press Enter.
3. On the find the Windows Time.
4. Right-click on Windows Time and select Start. If it’s already running, right-click and select Stop and then Start.
4. Add More Time Servers
Adding more time service may fix the time sync failed error on Windows. If you add more time servers, Windows will try different servers to keep time in sync. Here’s how you can add more time servers on Windows.
1. Type in Registry Editor on the Windows Search. Next, open the Registry Editor app from the list of best match results.
2. When the Registry Editor opens, navigate to this path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DateTime\Servers
3. Right-click on the Servers and select New > String Value.
4. Name the new String value anything you want, for example, Server new, Server 3, etc. Double-click on the String value. In the value data field, type time.google.com and click OK.
5. Force the Time Sync with CMD
If you still get the time sync failed error message, you can try forcing the time sync via the command prompt. This will force Windows to sync the time immediately.
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1. Type Command Prompt in the Windows Search. Next, right-click on the CMD and select Run as administrator.
2. When the Command Prompt opens, execute these commands one by one.
net stop w32time
w32tm /unregister
w32tm /register
net start w32time
w32tm /resync
After executing all commands, close the command prompt and restart your Windows PC. This will force Windows to sync the time.
6. Run the SFC and DISM Command
System file corruption could be another reason Windows fails to sync the time. You can find and replace the corrupted system files by running the SFC and DISM Commands. Here’s how to do it.
1. Type CMD in the Windows 11 Search. Right-click on CMD and select Run as administrator.
2. When the Command Prompt opens, execute this command:
sfc /scannow
3. If the SFC scan returns with an error, execute this command:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
7. Disable any Firewall or Third-Party Security Program
Firewalls and third-party security apps that you may use can prevent the Windows Time service from running and create issues with the time sync.
So, if you’ve recently added a firewall protection or security app, you can temporarily disable it and check.
8. Run a full antivirus scan
Addressing Time Synchronization Issues Caused by Malware
Malicious software can sometimes disrupt the time synchronization process and lead to errors. If you’ve tried all the previous methods without success, it’s time to check for any malicious programs.
Here’s how to scan for malware:
Type Windows Security in the Windows Search bar and open the Windows Security app from the top results.
Once the Windows Security app is open, navigate to the Virus & Threat Protection tab.
On the right side, click on Scan Options.
Select Full Scan and then click Scan Now.
The Full Scan may take some time to complete, so please be patient. After the scan finishes, restart your Windows 11 PC and see if the error persists.
These are some of the best ways to resolve the time sync failed issue on your Windows PC or laptop. If you need further assistance troubleshooting this problem, feel free to ask in the comments. Also, if you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to share it with others!
