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How to Sync the Clock Automatically in Windows 11

Enable automatic clock synchronization in Windows 11 from Date & time settings, with separate guidance for time zones and failed syncs.
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To keep Windows 11’s clock synchronized automatically, go to Start > Settings > Time & language > Date & time and turn on Set time automatically. If the displayed local time is still wrong because Windows is using the wrong region, correct the time zone separately.

Turn on automatic clock synchronization

  1. Select Start, then open Settings.

  2. Go to Time & language > Date & time.

  3. Turn on Set time automatically. Microsoft documents this Settings path for Windows 11: How to set your time and time zone automatically in Windows 11.

  4. If you want Windows to choose your local time zone, turn on Set time zone automatically if that option is available. Otherwise, choose the appropriate entry in the Time zone list.

  5. To ask Windows to try synchronizing right away, find Synchronize your clock and select Sync now, when shown. Microsoft includes this control in its clock-sync troubleshooting steps: How to synchronize the clock in Windows.

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Automatic time and time-zone settings do different things

Set time automatically controls whether Windows keeps the clock synchronized. Set time zone automatically controls which local time zone Windows applies when displaying the time. A clock can be synchronized to the correct underlying time but still show the wrong local hour if the selected time zone is wrong. Choose the time-zone setting that suits your location and device; Microsoft describes the two controls separately in its Windows time and time-zone instructions.

What Windows uses to synchronize time

Windows Time, also known as W32Time, uses the Network Time Protocol (NTP) to synchronize with network time sources. NTP works with Coordinated Universal Time (UTC); Windows applies the selected time zone to present local time. NTP synchronization uses UDP port 123, so a network block or an unavailable or misconfigured time source can stop synchronization. Microsoft documents the service and its configuration in Windows Time Service Tools and Settings and explains NTP fundamentals in Windows Time Service.

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If Sync now does not work

Check the Settings options first

Confirm that Set time automatically is on, verify the time zone, then try Sync now again if it appears. These are the user-facing controls to check before attempting command-line configuration.

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Consider whether the PC is managed

On a work or school PC, an administrator may determine which time source the device uses. Microsoft documents that domain-joined Windows devices generally follow the domain time hierarchy, while non-domain-joined devices use the NTP client configuration. If the PC is managed, ask its administrator before changing time-source settings.

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Administrator diagnostics

For deeper troubleshooting, Microsoft identifies several possible causes of a W32Time resynchronization error: Windows cannot resolve the configured NTP server name, the server name is incorrect, UDP port 123 is blocked by a local or network firewall, or the target does not advertise itself as an NTP server. See Microsoft’s W32Time resync error troubleshooting for administrator-level diagnosis. Avoid changing registry settings or a managed domain’s time hierarchy as a routine fix.

Administrators can use the built-in w32tm utility to inspect or request synchronization from an elevated Command Prompt or other suitable command environment. Microsoft describes w32tm as its preferred command-line tool for configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting W32Time; local administrative rights are required when using it locally. Useful commands include:

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  • w32tm /status — displays W32Time status.

  • w32tm /query /configuration — displays the current configuration.

  • w32tm /resync — requests a resynchronization.

These commands are for diagnosis and administration; they are not required to enable automatic synchronization through Settings.

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