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Windows clock always out of sync

Anonymous
2025-06-30T08:20:49+00:00

Hello,

Since yesterday, my Windows clock is constantly out of sync.

Actually, my desktop has been out of sync for some time now, probably because of the CMOS battery. At every start, I had to click "Synchronize now", and the problem was "solved" until the next restart. But since yesterday, clicking "Synchronize now" indeed synchronizes it, but just for a second. The time doesn't run anymore. If I leave for another setting panel and come back, I have to "Synchronize now" again, and again, and again. What makes it strange is that it also affects my laptop, which was fine until yesterday.

I changed the CMOS battery today, and so it solved the BIOS error message at the start, but the system clock issue continues.

I tried different solutions online, but none work. I tried running an antivirus scan, but no avail.

I have no idea what's going on, especially since my laptop is affected as well.

Kindly request your help.

Thank you very much.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Performance and system failures

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  1. Solamillo Charity 20,260 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-07-02T13:26:56+00:00

    Thank you, Melvin. I agree with your answer.

    It's very possible that the NTP server is not the problem. It’s probably a DNS or network-level issue.

    Please try to Change DNS to 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8.

    Use a different NTP server:

    w32tm /config /manualpeerlist:"pool.ntp.org" /syncfromflags:manual /update
net stop w32time
net start w32time
w32tm /resync

    please Test offline, then please let me know the results.

    Please let me know if you have any more questions, I'll do my best to respond as soon as possible.

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-07-01T10:21:03+00:00

    Thank you for your response.

    Following the time /t prompt, here the result:

    We can see the minutes pass as expected, and reflect the Windows time of 18:16 at the top.

    However, the time.windows.com clock remained in the past at 18:13. Until I click "Synchronize now" again.

    Should I still proceed with the hard reset steps?

    Thank you.

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  2. Solamillo Charity 20,260 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-07-01T08:01:13+00:00

    Thank you for the detailed information. Hmm, based on what you have said, this points to a deeper failure in the timekeeping mechanism, likely related to either a service malfunction, hardware timer issue, or power state behavior.

    First, let's confirm that the clock ticks at all after sync:

    Sync the time via "Synchronize now".



Open Command Prompt and run:

    time /t

    Wait 10 seconds, then run time /t again.

    If the time stays the same, Windows isn't ticking the system clock properly.

    If it isn't, let's do a hard reset of your time service.

    Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

    regsvr32 w32time.dll

    regsvr32 w32tm.exe

    regsvr32 w32time.lib

    Then, restart. then type below in command prompt admin again.

    net stop w32time

    net start w32time

    Let's also check for corrupted system files.

    First, open Command Prompt as an administrator by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Command Prompt (Admin)." In the Command Prompt window, type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for the scan to complete; this process might take some time, and the tool will automatically attempt to fix any detected issues. Once the scan is finished, restart your computer.

    Next, open Command Prompt as an administrator again. In the Command Prompt window, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. Wait for the process to complete, as it might also take some time to repair the Windows image. Once the DISM process is complete, restart your computer.

    Please let me know if this works for you. I'll do my best to respond as soon as possible.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-07-01T07:05:48+00:00

    Hello Charity,

    Thank you for your help.

    After following the first steps (unplug, plug, automatic Windows time, etc.), I can see that it indeed synchronized the time (it was still stuck in June, and so it updated the time to July 1, the right hour). But it doesn't keep synchronized. I have to click the button "Synchronize now" still, which synchronizes to instant T, but doesn't remain synchronized thereafter.

    After the admin commands, the same thing. The clock synchronized at instant T, but doesn't keep synchronized.

    Here is a screenshot of what it looks like:

    I did the action at 15:01, and it synchronized. But didn't remain synchronized. I have to constantly push the "Synchronize now" button.

    Thanks for your help. I will wait for your reply. Have a nice day!

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  4. Solamillo Charity 20,260 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-06-30T09:56:49+00:00

    Hello there! I am Charity, I'm an Independent Advisor. I'm glad to help you today!

    Thank you for the detailed information.

    First, let's try a power reset of your laptop.

    Shut down the laptop.

    Unplug the power adapter.

    Press and hold the power button for 30–60 seconds.

    Plug the power adapter back in.

    Turn the laptop back on.

    Then, Check Windows Time Service

    Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.

    Scroll down and find Windows Time.

    Right-click it → Properties.

    Set Startup type to Automatic.

    Click Start if it’s not already running.

    Click Apply → OK.

    If the above steps still doesn't sync the time, please force Time Synchronization via Command Prompt

    Open Command Prompt as Administrator (Win + X → Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin)).

    Run the following commands one by one:

    net stop w32time

    w32tm /unregister

    w32tm /register

    net start w32time

    w32tm /resync

    Then, please test again.

    Please let me know if this works for you. I'll do my best to respond as soon as possible.

    Kind Regards,

    Charity

    Please note that things might need more than one reply to completely resolve your issue, as it will completely depend on the complexity of the question and the amount of detail that you have provided me.

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