Surface Pro 9 5G (SQ3)

Question

Hi,

I've recently purchased a Surface Pro 9 (5G / SQ3).

The original unit had to be replaced by the retailer due to a flickering screen.

The new unit has a slightly different issue - the clock will not stay in sync. The UEFI system date/time is set correctly and doesn't get forgotten (indicating there's no CMOS battery issue), but in Windows, at random, when booting up, the clock will be either 1 hour in front or 1 hour behind actual time. Once I click sync in Time / Date settings it restores the correct date / time, but as soon as it reboots, it goes back behind (or in front, depending on how it's feeling).

I've tried changing the internet time server (multiple times), timezone, enabling/disabling automatic time setting, which doesn't make a difference - the issue always seems to return. I've even tried resetting the device with a fresh install of Windows 11.

I'd really like to avoid having to arrange an exchange for something that just really doesn't seem like a hardware issue if I can. These devices are really nice, but so far, I'm having a pretty negative experience.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Answer 1

If using the downloadable recovery image to wipe and reimage did not fix this, you SHOULD exchange with retailer. Or return and repurchase.

Answer 2

Thanks for your reply.

I tried again today after leaving the unit powered off for a few hours, and it had again, gone forward an hour but updated a minute after logging in. I then rebooted to check the date/time in UEFI, and it was set correctly.

No idea what’s going on here, but I think you’re right in that it needs replacing again. This just doesn’t seem right.

Contacted the retailer and the previous return / exchange is still open, as it’s a bank holiday in the UK the previous unit still hasn’t been returned to them by the courier and so the return is still open, and that obviously needs to close before they can open yet another one, so I’ll carry on with it as it is for the next couple of days and contact them again to arrange another exchange.

Fingers crossed third times a charm!

Answer 3

Please keep us posted.