Time Sync is a feature on Windows devices that automatically adjusts the time to the current time zone and date. Usually when it is on, the times are configured with different servers. By default, most users can see their device connecting to time.windows.com.
The problem of synchronizing time with this server is a fairly common mistake. It is connected with the fact that in some cases the Windows Customization Service fails to connect to the site. The reasons for this failure can be different: from resetting the connection to the Internet to damaging certain protocols. Below are several options for correcting this problem.
Solution 1: Temporarily disable third-party firewall and security software
Third party firewall is one of the most common reasons why a connection to a sync server cannot be established. Therefore, if you are using any type of third-party device, you should disable or uninstall it and then see if that fixes the situation.
However, overly aggressive malware protection can also cause time sync failures with an error connecting to time.windows.com. Thus, try disabling your antivirus software and see if that helps. If this is the problem, add the server address to the exclusion list.
Solution 2: Switch the Windows Time service to automatic mode
The Windows Time service maintains a synchronization process with time servers on the network. If this service is not enabled (there can be many reasons for this), Windows time tuning may fail.
- Press the Win + X keyboard shortcut and select Control Panel.
- Go to the Administration section.
- In the new window, scroll down to Services, and double-click LMB.
- Find the Time Synchronization Service in the list, right-click, and select Properties.
- In the Startup type item, set the automatic adjustment option.
- Click: Run, Apply, Ok.
Solution 3: Allow Windows Time service to interact with the desktop
Instructions:
- Open Services as described above.
- Find Time Synchronization Service again and double-click on it with LMB.
- In the new window, go to the Login tab.
- Here select “With system account”.
- Check the Allow the service to interact with the desktop check box.
- Click: Apply and Ok.
Solution 4. Use a different server
If the system still fails to sync, chances are that the problem is on the server. Try another one.
- Right click on the date and time in the lower right corner.
- Select an item: Set date and time.
- Go to the Internet Time tab and click Change settings.
- Check the box: Synchronize with a time server on the Internet.
- Enter one of the following addresses in the server string:
- time-b-wwv.nist.gov
- time-e-wwv.nist.gov
- time-eg.nist.gov
- time-ag.nist.gov
- utcnist.colorado.edu
- ntp-d.nist.gov
- ntp-b.nist.gov
- Click: Update Now and OK.
Note: When synchronizing the watch, make sure it is within 15 hours of the current time. If so, you should set the correct time manually, which you can find out by entering the query “Exact time” in the browser search. If the discrepancy is more than 15 hours, you must select another server from the list provided.
Solution 5 – Re-register the Windows Time service
Using the command line, you can try to re-register the Windows Time service:
- Right click on the Windows icon in the lower left corner.
- Select Command Prompt (Admin).
- In a new window, insert the following commands in turn, pressing Enter after each:
- net stop w32time
- w32tm / unregister
- w32tm / register
- net start w32time
- w32tm / resync / nowait
- After completing all the commands, restart your computer and see if this resolves the problem.
Solution 6: Try syncing on a different network
According to Windows engineers, the network of some users may be blocking the NTP protocol. To fix this, you will have to switch to a different ISP. Obviously, changing it to synchronize the time is not very smart, so a workaround can be used.
If you have a modern mobile phone that supports the hotspot function, turn it on. Then go back to your computer and connect it to your phone’s network. Try syncing your watch.