How to Fix “Time Sync Failed” on Windows – 10 Ways

Hi, Jessica here! I work from home as a marketing manager, and I rely on my laptop for everything from Zoom meetings to managing projects. So when my Windows PC shows a “Time Sync Failed” error, it throws my whole schedule off. Your computer’s clock may seem like a small thing, but it affects email timestamps, file syncing, and even security certificates. If the time is wrong, you can run into login issues or problems with apps like Outlook, Teams, or even web browsers.

The good news? You don’t need to be a tech expert to fix it. Let’s break down why this happens and how you can resolve it step by step.

Why Does the Time Sync Error Happen?

Windows usually syncs your system clock with online time servers, like time.windows.com. When you see “Time Sync Failed”, it means your computer couldn’t connect or update. Common reasons include:

• Internet issues – weak or unstable connection
• Disabled Windows Time service – the background service isn’t running
• Firewall or antivirus settings – blocking sync requests
• Incorrect region or time zone – mismatch between your PC and server
• Corrupted settings or CMOS battery issues – rare, but possible

Now let’s walk through the fixes.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

Time sync needs internet. Start simple:

1. Open your browser and try loading a few sites.
2. If your Wi-Fi is unstable, restart your router.
3. Try connecting to a different network (like mobile hotspot).

If your internet works fine, move on to the next steps.

2. Manually Sync Time in Settings

Windows lets you trigger a manual sync:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Time & Language > Date & Time.
3. Under Additional Settings, click Sync now.

If it works, you’ll see the time update. If not, keep going.

3. Verify Time Zone Settings

Sometimes the time sync fails simply because your time zone is wrong.

1. Open Settings > Time & Language > Date & Time.
2. Toggle on Set time zone automatically (if available).
3. Or manually select your correct time zone.

For me, since I travel sometimes, Windows occasionally gets confused and sets me in the wrong zone. Fixing this solved my sync issue instantly once.

4. Restart Windows Time Service

Windows uses a background service called Windows Time (w32time). If it’s stopped, sync fails.

Here’s how to restart it:

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
2. Scroll to Windows Time.
3. Right-click > Restart.
4. Double-click it, set Startup type: Automatic, then click Apply.

This ensures the service runs every time you start your computer.

5. Use a Different Time Server

Sometimes the default time.windows.com server doesn’t respond well. You can switch:

1. Open Control Panel > Clock and Region > Date and Time.
2. Go to the Internet Time tab.
3. Click Change settings.
4. Select another server like:
   • time.nist.gov
   • pool.ntp.org
5. Click Update now.

I personally switched mine to time.nist.gov and never saw the error again.

6. Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings

Firewalls or antivirus software may block time sync.

• If you’re using Windows Defender Firewall:
  1. Open Control Panel > Windows Defender Firewall > Allow an app.
  2. Make sure Windows Time Service has access.
• If you use third-party antivirus, temporarily disable it and test syncing. If that works, adjust its settings to allow NTP (Network Time Protocol).

7. Run Windows Troubleshooter

Microsoft includes a built-in troubleshooter:

1. Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
2. Scroll down and run the Date & Time troubleshooter (if available).

It doesn’t always fix things, but it can reset certain background processes.

8. Update Windows

Sometimes bugs cause sync issues. Make sure your PC is updated:

1. Open Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. Install any pending updates and restart.

9. Check BIOS/CMOS Battery (Rare Cases)

If your PC constantly loses time even after fixes, the tiny CMOS battery on your motherboard may be dying. This is rare, but especially common in older laptops and desktops.

Signs include:

• Your time resets every time you reboot.
• Sync keeps failing no matter what.

If this happens, you’ll need to replace the battery (a small coin-cell battery like CR2032).

10. Last Resort: Command Prompt Reset

If all else fails, you can reset the time service:

1. Search for Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Run the following commands one by one:

net stop w32time  
w32tm /unregister  
w32tm /register  
net start w32time  
w32tm /resync  

This refreshes the Windows Time service completely.

Preventing Future Time Sync Issues

Once you’ve fixed it, you’ll want to avoid seeing the error again. Here are some habits I’ve built:

• Keep your PC connected to Wi-Fi when possible.
• Set your time zone correctly, especially after travel.
• Don’t disable background services unless you know what they do.
• Run updates regularly.

Final Thoughts

Dealing with “Time Sync Failed” in Windows can be frustrating, but it’s usually not hard to fix. Most issues come down to network hiccups, wrong settings, or a stopped service.

For me, switching to a different server and restarting the Windows Time service solved it once and for all. Since then, my system clock has been reliable, which keeps everything else—from email timestamps to app logins—running smoothly.

So if you’ve been stuck with this error, don’t worry. Follow the steps above, and you’ll have your PC’s clock back on track in no time