To force Windows 11 to refresh its network time, open Start > Settings > Time & language > Date & time, confirm that Set time automatically is On, and select Sync now under Additional settings. Windows has no separate “reset network time” command on this page; Sync now is the control that triggers a fresh synchronization. If the clock still looks wrong afterward, the cause is often the time zone rather than the sync itself, so check that setting too.
Step-by-step: trigger a fresh time synchronization
- Open the Date & time page. Go to Start > Settings > Time & language > Date & time.
- Turn on automatic time. Make sure Set time automatically is set to On. If it is Off, Windows will not synchronize the clock on its own.
- Run Sync now. Under Additional settings, select Sync now. Windows contacts its time source and updates the clock. Microsoft’s Windows Update troubleshooting guidance gives the same sequence: enable automatic time and time zone, then select Sync now if needed.
- Check the time zone separately. If the time is correct in UTC terms but the local hour is off by a whole number of hours, the wrong zone is the likely cause. Turn on Set time zone automatically, or, if that option is Off, choose the correct zone from the time zone menu on the same page.
- Confirm the result. Compare the taskbar clock with a trusted reference. A correct display after Sync now means the synchronization worked.
Time synchronization and time zone are separate settings
Windows treats the accuracy of the clock and the local time zone as two different problems. Microsoft’s support page for date, time, and time zone settings describes them as independent toggles, so a device can have a perfectly synchronized clock and still show the wrong local time.
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| Setting | What it controls | Use it when | If it is Off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Set time automatically | Whether Windows synchronizes the date and time from a network time source | The clock drifts, lags, or jumps to an incorrect date | Sync now is the only manual way to refresh the clock |
| Set time zone automatically | Whether Windows selects the local time zone based on location | The hour is off by a whole number of hours, or the zone name is wrong | Select the correct zone from the time zone menu |
When the Windows Time service matters
Windows Time is the built-in service that Microsoft identifies with synchronizing and maintaining device date and time. It is installed by default. As Microsoft’s essential services guidance for Windows explains, the service starts automatically on domain-joined devices and can be started manually on other devices. If it is stopped, date and time synchronization is unavailable, so Sync now will not help until the service runs.
You can check the service in the Services app (run services.msc) by looking for Windows Time. If it is stopped, you can start it there on a personal device. Make sure its startup type is not disabled before you start it.
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If synchronization still fails
- Clock wrong after Sync now: re-check the time zone setting described above before assuming a sync failure.
- Sync now is missing or greyed out: this usually means the setting is controlled by policy. On a work or school device, contact your IT administrator rather than changing settings yourself.
- Windows Time is stopped and will not start: the Windows Time service is the component to check, and a stopped or disabled service blocks synchronization entirely.
- Windows Update fails with date or time problems: Microsoft’s Windows Update troubleshooting guidance notes that incorrect date and time settings can interfere with updates and recommends the same steps above.
Microsoft’s public guidance does not cover network-level causes such as firewall rules or company-managed time sources. If your device is managed by an organization, those settings belong to your administrator, and this procedure cannot override them.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why this matters beyond the clock display
An inaccurate clock is more than a cosmetic problem. Windows Update relies on correct date and time settings, so a device that is minutes or days off can fail to install updates, as the troubleshooting guidance above notes. Running Sync now and confirming the time zone is therefore a quick check worth making whenever updates stall.
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For the official setting descriptions, see Microsoft’s guide to date, time, and time zone settings in Windows, which applies to both Windows 11 and Windows 10.
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