What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Use exactly one time-synchronization daemon on your VPS. First inspect the current state with timedatectl and the service status commands. Choose systemd-timesyncd for a simple client, or chrony—the default on Ubuntu 25.10—for more capable NTP requirements. Configure that service, enable it, and verify both the system-wide state and daemon-specific measurements.
Antihost offers Linux VPS plans with full root access, unlimited traffic on a 1 Gbps port and a 14-day free trial.
Why accurate time matters on a VPS
Linux services use the system clock for log ordering, TLS certificate checks, scheduled jobs, database timestamps, authentication tokens, monitoring alerts, and distributed-system coordination. A clock that is merely close can still create confusing logs; a clock that jumps suddenly can make events appear to happen in the wrong order or cause time-sensitive requests to fail.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Virtual machines do not automatically have a trustworthy clock. The host can provide a starting time, but the guest must keep correcting clock drift. Network Time Protocol (NTP) services do this continuously. On a Linux VPS, the practical goal is not to run every available time tool; it is to select one daemon, give it reachable time sources, and confirm that it is actually disciplining the clock.
Inspect the VPS before changing anything
Do not install and start a second daemon until you know what is already running. Two independent services can compete to control the same clock. Run these commands as an administrator:
#1 Best Overall
- [Ultra-Lightweight Ear Buds Designed for Small Ears] Each earbud weighs only 3.7g and features a compact, ergonomic in-ear design made especially for small ears. Secure, low-profile, and comfortable for workouts, all-day wear or overnight sleeping.The ultra-slim profile sits flush in your ear with no hard edges poking or rubbing, so you can even sleep on your side without discomfort.
- [Immersive Stereo Sound with TOZO OrigX Technology] TOZO OrigX tuning delivers clear vocals, balanced mids, and natural stereo sound for music, podcasts, and videos.
- [Long Battery Life for Daily Use] Get up to 7 hours of playtime on a single charge, with up to 32 hours total using the charging case—ideal for workdays, commuting, and extended listening sessions.
- [Bluetooth 5.3 & Stable Connection] Bluetooth 5.3 provides fast pairing, stable wireless performance, and reduced dropouts as you move around home or office.
- [Deep Bass with Clear Vocals] High-performance drivers produce punchy bass while keeping vocals clean and detailed for everyday listening.
timedatectl status
systemctl status systemd-timesyncd --no-pager
systemctl status chrony --no-pagertimedatectl status reports local time, universal time, the real-time clock (RTC), the configured time zone, whether the system clock is synchronized, and whether an NTP service is active. For scripts and monitoring, timedatectl show provides machine-readable properties instead of the human-oriented status screen.
The timedatectl set-ntp true command enables the systemd time service that timedatectl controls. It does not automatically disable an unrelated daemon, so treat it as an enablement command, not as a complete conflict-resolution procedure.
Interpret the initial output
- NTP service: active means a service recognized by the system is enabled or running, but you still need daemon-specific evidence that it has contacted a source.
- System clock synchronized: yes indicates that the clock is currently considered synchronized. A temporary “no” immediately after startup can be normal while the daemon discovers a source.
- systemd-timesyncd running: this is the lightweight systemd client and may already be the only time service.
- chrony running: chrony is already controlling synchronization; do not also run timesyncd as a second controller.
- Both packages installed: installation alone is not proof of a conflict. Check which units are active and choose one service to control the clock.
Choose between systemd-timesyncd and chrony
| Characteristic | systemd-timesyncd | chrony |
|---|---|---|
| Role and protocol | Minimal SNTP client; systemd documents that it implements SNTP only. | Full NTP implementation with client and server capabilities. |
| Best fit | A straightforward VPS that only needs to synchronize its own clock. | Current Ubuntu defaults, more involved NTP requirements, or a machine that may serve time to other systems. |
| Configuration | /etc/systemd/timesyncd.conf, drop-ins in /etc/systemd/timesyncd.conf.d/, and potentially per-link or DHCP settings. |
The distribution’s chrony configuration and source files, including Ubuntu’s files under /etc/chrony/sources.d/. |
| Verification | timedatectl, systemctl status systemd-timesyncd, and timedatectl timesync-status. |
timedatectl, chronyc -N tracking, and chronyc sources -v. |
Ubuntu states that chrony became the default time-synchronization service in Ubuntu 25.10. Ubuntu also documents timesyncd as an option for simpler cases and explains that, when chrony is installed, timedatectl steps aside so the two services do not compete. The default is release-sensitive, so check the release on the VPS rather than assuming that an older tutorial’s service is still the default.
When systemd-timesyncd is the sensible choice
Choose timesyncd when the VPS is simply an NTP client and you want a small, uncomplicated service integrated with systemd. It is appropriate when you do not need chrony’s broader client/server feature set or its more detailed operational controls.
When chrony is the better choice
Choose chrony for current Ubuntu installations, for more demanding NTP configurations, or when the VPS may provide time to other machines. Chrony continuously adjusts measured drift and offset instead of relying only on disruptive large corrections, which is useful for services where sudden clock jumps could disturb log ordering or other time-sensitive behavior.
Set up systemd-timesyncd
The following example is for a Debian-family system with APT. Package names and service packaging differ on other distributions; use that distribution’s package manager and unit name if timesyncd is not already present.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Rank #2
- 【IP68 Waterproof Multifunctinal Smart Watch】Torjalph fitness activity tracker smart watch is IP68 waterproof technology ,you can wear it when swimming,handwashing,it's rain-proof which means that you perform multiple exercise modes outside without worrying about sweat or rain corroding your fitness smart watch,and this watch equipped with a 230 mAh large capacity battery magnetic charging ,and this sports activity tracker watch can be used 5-7 days If fully charged.
- 【Larger 1.83'' Full Screen Watch & Multi-dial Selection】1.83 inch full HD color touch screen smart watch for men / women provides excellent 240*284 resolution image quality ,This Bluetooth smart watch offers a better touch experience and remarkable immersion and ,more than 200 watch faces for you to choose from App"Da Fit ", you can change the dial style according to your mood to wear keeping the world on your wrist
- 【Accurate Activity Tracker Smart Watch 】sports watch activity tracker uses sweat and dust resistant breathable silicone strap, our Fitness Tracker Smart Watch for Android iOS Phones supports 12 sports modes,walking,running,bicycle,swimming,badminton,basketball,football,rope skipping. This bluetooth calls smart watch for men women is lightweight and stylish, bringing more convenient and relaxing sports experience while also providing more protection.
- 【Your 24 Hour Personal Daily Health Monitor】Fitness watch for women men full touch screen IP67 waterproof bluetooth smartwatch for Android iOS Phones with heart rate blood pressure monitor multifunction Andriod smart watch with steps counter sleep monitor sports fitness watch, monitoring blood oxygen saturation allows you to understand your physical condition in real time to track fitness progress ,to know your health status in time.
- 【More Functions Bluetooth Call Smart Watch】This fitness activity smart watch full screen for iPhone and Android phones includes a bunch of new features including:The bluetooth smart watch can hang up the phone, receive and display WhatsAPP /Text /Facebook /Twitter /Messenger reminder.Support sedentary reminder, alarm clock, stopwatch, timer,weather information,music control, remote camera control compatible with Android 5.0 and above or iOS 9.0 and above smartphones.
Install and start the service
- Refresh package metadata and install the service if necessary:
sudo apt update sudo apt install systemd-timesyncd - Ask timedatectl to enable the systemd time service:
sudo timedatectl set-ntp true - Enable the unit at boot and start it immediately:
sudo systemctl enable --now systemd-timesyncd
If chrony or another NTP daemon is already active, stop and disable the daemon you are not using before relying on timesyncd. For example, on a system where chrony is the competing unit:
sudo systemctl disable --now chronyOnly run that command if you have deliberately selected timesyncd and confirmed that the unit exists. Do not disable a service blindly on a production machine whose synchronization policy you have not identified.
Configure NTP servers
Edit /etc/systemd/timesyncd.conf, or create a drop-in file under /etc/systemd/timesyncd.conf.d/. A minimal configuration is:
[Time]
NTP=ntp.ubuntu.com
FallbackNTP=pool.ntp.orgNTP= and FallbackNTP= accept space-separated lists. The explicitly listed servers are preferred; the fallback list is used when suitable primary sources are unavailable. The systemd documentation also allows time sources to come from per-link .network settings and from DHCP, so a provider’s network configuration may influence the effective server list.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
After changing the file, restart the service so it rereads the configuration:
sudo systemctl restart systemd-timesyncdKeep the source names appropriate for your distribution and network policy. If your VPS provider supplies an internal NTP endpoint, it may be preferable to the public names shown in the example, but use only a source that the provider documents and that the VPS can resolve and reach.
Rank #3
- [Low Noise High Fidelity] New bee guitar cord with 22AWG oxygen-free-copper center conductors provides enhanced signal transfer, the PVC insulation material and the high-density stranded copper double shield provide noise rejection for quiet operation
- [Ideal for Choice] New bee 1/4 straight and right angle metal connectors, ensures a secure connection in any instrument, pedal, or amp jack. L shape great fro on stage guitar stands
- [Wide Compatible] Suitable for mixer, power amplifier, microphone, effector, decoder, equalizer, electoronic organ, electric guitar, electric bass and other electronic equipments. Widely used in the installation of smart home, karaoke speaker, professional stage audio, etc
- [Easy Disassemble] Making incidental repairs quick and easy! Very nice, flexible cable
- [Dont Hesite to Order] 24 hours customer services and professional technology team are standing by
Verify timesyncd
Check the high-level state:
timedatectl statusThen inspect the unit and timesyncd’s synchronization view:
systemctl status systemd-timesyncd --no-pager
timedatectl timesync-statusA healthy result should show a synchronized state and identify the server that was contacted. If the service is running but no synchronization is reported, continue with the network and log checks in the troubleshooting section rather than assuming that “active (running)” means the clock is synchronized.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Set up chrony
For current Ubuntu releases, install and enable chrony with APT:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install chrony
sudo systemctl enable --now chronyIf systemd-timesyncd is the active controller and you have selected chrony instead, stop and disable timesyncd:
sudo systemctl disable --now systemd-timesyncdUbuntu’s chrony package includes distribution-managed source configuration. Keep that configuration unless you have a specific reason to change it. Ubuntu documents source files under /etc/chrony/sources.d/ for its NTS-enabled pools. Before replacing those files, understand whether your change removes provider defaults or NTS-capable sources.
Verify chrony’s tracking data
Start with the overall service state:
timedatectl statusThen ask chrony for its tracking record and source selection:
Rank #4
- Digital Family Calendar: BSIMB digital calendar wall touch screen puts an end to your chaotic life. Designed for busy families, the digital calendar keeps you organised and in step with your family. Assign different colours and tasks to each family member to make family scheduling easier and more intuitive.
- Easy Setup and Auto-Sync: Plug in, connect to WLAN and auto-syn your electric calendar in minutes. Digital wall calendar compatible with Google calendar, iCloud calendar, Outlook calendar, Cozi calendar and Yahoo calendar. Add events directly on the device or through the ecalendar app. Electronic calendar stays current whether you're at work or traveling—no manual updates needed.
- All-In-One Home Assistant: Smart calendar builds habits and encourage independence with personalised chores. Display daily meal plan to reduce the daily ‘What's for dinner?’ stress. To-do lists keep track of everything you want. Turning chores into valuable achievements with stars and rewards, making life easier and more enjoyable.
- Manage Anytime Anywhere: BSIMB electronic calendar for family stay connected with the powerful ecalendar app. Access and manage your digital wall calendar anytime, anywhere with free features like stars & rewards, photo screensaver, chore charts, meals plans, to-do lists etc. Electronic planner paid features like Magic Import tailor advanced tools for users with special needs.
- Stay in Touch with Loved Ones: Share photos or videos from your phone to electronic wall calendar with app, instantly update your life moment, and keep in touch with your family, especially those who are far away; you can also surprise your smart calendar digital wall by sending him a wish card; it's also great for keeping tech-illiterate elders in touch with the youngsters.
chronyc -N tracking
chronyc sources -vThe tracking output includes fields such as a reference ID, stratum, and UTC reference time. chronyc sources -v shows the candidate sources and their selection state, which helps distinguish “chrony is running” from “chrony has selected a usable source.”
One-shot chrony operations
Ubuntu’s time-synchronization guidance documents two one-shot modes. chronyd -q adjusts the clock and exits after making a correction; chronyd -Q performs a check without setting the clock. These are diagnostic or maintenance tools, not substitutes for leaving one properly configured daemon enabled for continuous synchronization.
Make sure the VPS can reach its time sources
NTP configuration cannot work if the server names do not resolve or if packets cannot leave the VPS. For every configured source, check the following:
- DNS: the VPS must resolve the hostname to an address. Test the resolver using the DNS tools available on the distribution and inspect the system’s resolver configuration if names fail.
- Routing: the VPS needs a working default route or a specific route to the selected source.
- Firewall policy: outbound NTP normally uses UDP port 123. Check host-level firewall rules, cloud security groups, and provider egress filters for blocked UDP 123 traffic.
- Source availability: a hostname can resolve while an individual server is unreachable or unsuitable. Configure more than one source where the service supports it and use the daemon’s source listing to see which one was selected.
Do not open inbound UDP 123 merely because the VPS needs to synchronize as a client. Inbound access is relevant when you intentionally configure the machine to serve time; a client-only VPS generally needs outbound access to its sources.
Verify synchronization at two levels
Use both a general system check and a service-specific check. Each answers a different question.
| Question | timesyncd command | chrony command |
|---|---|---|
| Does systemd consider the clock synchronized? | timedatectl status |
timedatectl status |
| Is the selected service running? | systemctl status systemd-timesyncd --no-pager |
systemctl status chrony --no-pager |
| Which source is being used and what is the detailed state? | timedatectl timesync-status |
chronyc -N tracking and chronyc sources -v |
Run the checks after startup and again after making configuration changes. A daemon can be enabled for boot, active as a process, and still waiting for DNS, routing, or a usable source. Conversely, a clock can remain close to correct for a while after synchronization has been lost, so an apparently reasonable displayed time is not proof that NTP is currently working.
Troubleshoot common failures
“NTP service: inactive”
Identify the daemon you intend to use and enable that service. For timesyncd, use sudo timedatectl set-ntp true and sudo systemctl enable --now systemd-timesyncd. For chrony, use sudo systemctl enable --now chrony. Recheck timedatectl status afterward.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThe service is active but the clock is not synchronized
Inspect the service-specific status, then verify DNS resolution, routing, and outbound UDP 123. Review the service logs with the system journal to find name-resolution failures, unreachable sources, permission errors, or repeated source timeouts. A running process alone does not establish that it has selected a source.
Both chrony and timesyncd appear to be running
Decide which daemon should own the clock, then stop and disable the other. On Ubuntu, timedatectl steps aside when chrony is installed, but you should still verify the actual unit states instead of relying on package presence or an assumption about the release. After disabling one service, run the selected daemon’s verification commands again.
The configured server is not the server being contacted
For timesyncd, inspect timedatectl timesync-status and review whether per-link settings or DHCP supplied different sources. For chrony, inspect chronyc sources -v and the files under the distribution’s chrony source configuration. A fallback or provider-supplied source may be selected when a preferred source is unavailable.
You need to correct the clock once
For a chrony-based system, Ubuntu documents chronyd -q for a one-time correction and chronyd -Q for a one-time check without setting the clock. Use these intentionally and preserve a single continuously running daemon afterward if the VPS needs ongoing synchronization.
Operational checklist for a production VPS
- Record the Linux distribution and release before following a service-specific guide; Ubuntu’s default changed in 25.10.
- Run
timedatectl statusand inspect both possible service units before installing anything. - Select one controller: systemd-timesyncd for a basic SNTP client or chrony for Ubuntu’s current default and more involved requirements.
- Configure sources in the selected service’s documented file or drop-in, preserving distribution-managed chrony sources unless there is a clear reason to replace them.
- Enable only the selected service and confirm the other daemon is not actively controlling the clock.
- Verify the general state with
timedatectl status. - Verify daemon-specific evidence with
timedatectl timesync-statusor withchronyc -N trackingandchronyc sources -v. - Confirm DNS, routing, and outbound UDP 123 access to the configured sources.
- After a reboot or network change, repeat both levels of verification rather than checking only the displayed time.
Which setup should you use?
For a small VPS that only needs to keep its own clock aligned, systemd-timesyncd is the simpler path: install it if needed, configure NTP= and FallbackNTP=, enable one unit, and verify with timedatectl. On Ubuntu 25.10 and later installations that follow Ubuntu’s current defaults, chrony is the expected choice. It is also the stronger fit when you need full NTP behavior, detailed source and tracking information, or server capability.
Whichever daemon you select, correctness comes from the same discipline: inspect first, avoid competing controllers, use reachable sources, and require synchronization evidence from the daemon itself.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
