NTP (Network Time Protocol) blocking computer from syncing time

Question

I'm trying to test an Intune policy to force computers to use the same time server. To be sure my problem is not with other settings, I am testing on a new machine not joined to a domain or network using the local local group policy editor.

When I use GPEDIT.MSC and create the policy (using all the defaults) for NTP the computer no longer updates the time automatically. If I try to use the Sync Now button, it gives an error.

Specifically, in Local Group Policy Editor I go to Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System >Windows Time Service > Time Providers.

I then Enable Configure Windows NTP Client using all the defaults.

NtpServer: time.windows.com,0x9

Type: NT5DS

CrossSiteSyncFlages: 2

ResolvePeerBackoff/Minutes: 15

ResolvePeerBackoff/MaxTimes: 7

SpecialPollInterval: 1024

EventLogFlags: 0

If I then go to Date and Time Settings and Sync Now, it gives an error: Time synchronization failed. Please check network connectivity and retry.

Answer 1

@Paul Chasnoff, Thanks for posting in Q&A. From the error message, it shows the synchronization failed. After checking the configuration, I find the type is set as NT5DS. For this type, it means that they synchronize time from the domain hierarchy. You can see more details in the following link:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/networking/windows-time-service/windows-time-service-tools-and-settings?tabs=config

But in our scenario, we sync from external NTP server. Please change Type to NTP to see if it can work. Meanwhile, we can also add more NTP servers to avoid any issue with NTP server. Here is a link with the example of the configuration for your reference.

https://theitbros.com/configure-ntp-time-sync-group-policy/

Note: Non-Microsoft link, just for your reference.

Please try the above suggestion and if there's any update, feel free to let us know.

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