Fix Windows 10 Clock Drift: Synchronize with NTP Servers

Is your Windows 10 clock consistently off? A drifting clock can disrupt scheduling and online activities. This isn't a hardware problem; it's a simple fix! We'll show you how to synchronize your Windows 10 clock with highly accurate Network Time Protocol (NTP) servers, ensuring precise timekeeping. Say goodbye to time discrepancies and hello to accurate time, effortlessly. Let's get started!

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Access Group Policy Editor

    • Right-click the Start button, go to Run, and type 'gpedit.msc'.
    • Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Windows Time Service > Time Providers.
    Navigate to Windows Time Service Settings: Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Windows Time Service > Time Providers. Navigate to Windows Time Service Settings: Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Windows Time Service > Time Providers.
    Access Group Policy Editor
  2. Configure NTP Client Settings

    • Double-click 'Enable Windows NTP client' and enable it.
    • Double-click 'Configure Windows NTP client', enable it, change 'Type' to 'NTP', and add multiple NTP servers (e.g., us.pool.ntp.org, 0x1).
    Configure Windows NTP Client: Double-click 'Configure Windows NTP client', enable it, change 'Type' to 'NTP', and add multiple NTP servers (e.g., us.pool.ntp.org, 0x1). Configure Windows NTP Client: Double-click 'Configure Windows NTP client', enable it, change 'Type' to 'NTP', and add multiple NTP servers (e.g., us.pool.ntp.org, 0x1).
    Configure NTP Client Settings
  3. Apply and Restart Services

    • Open an elevated command prompt and type 'gpupdate /force'.
    • Open Windows PowerShell as administrator and type 'Restart-Service w32time'.
    Restart Windows Time Service: Open Windows PowerShell as administrator and type 'Restart-Service w32time'. Restart Windows Time Service: Open Windows PowerShell as administrator and type 'Restart-Service w32time'.
    Apply and Restart Services
[RelatedPost]

Tips

  • The clock might not update immediately after changing the settings. Allow some time for the changes to take effect.
  • Windows may prioritize time synchronization from Active Directory or a hypervisor if connected to either.
  • For domain-joined environments, apply these Group Policy settings at the domain level for broader impact.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Incorrect Time Zone Setting

Reason: The system's time zone is set incorrectly, leading to a discrepancy between the local time and the NTP server's time.
Solution: Correct the time zone setting in Windows 10's Date & Time settings to match your geographical location.

2. Firewall or Antivirus Interference

Reason: A firewall or antivirus program might be blocking the connection to the NTP servers, preventing time synchronization.
Solution: Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus software, then re-enable it after successful synchronization.