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Device clock correction

Fix an Incorrect Device Clock

If your clock is seconds or minutes wrong, the usual fix is to restore automatic time synchronization. If it is wrong by whole hours, check the timezone instead. Your browser can measure the difference, but only your device settings can change the system clock.

01

Start with the safest fix

Use automatic settings before setting the clock by hand. Manual correction can drift again and may leave the timezone wrong.

  1. Turn on automatic time

    Open the device date and time settings and enable automatic time or network-provided time.

  2. Confirm the timezone

    Enable automatic timezone, or select the correct city and region if automatic detection is unavailable.

  3. Sync, then check again

    Use Sync now when your system provides it, wait a moment, and run Clock Drift Test again.

Time error or timezone error?

Seconds or minutes wrong
The device clock is probably not synchronized. Enable automatic time, reconnect to the network, and force a sync if available.
Exactly one or several hours wrong
The clock may already represent the correct instant while the timezone or daylight saving setting is wrong. Correct the timezone first.

02

Instructions by device

Windows 11

Open Date & time settings

If it does not open, follow the steps below.

  1. Open Settings → Time & language → Date & time.
  2. Enable Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically.
  3. Select Sync now under Additional settings, then recheck the offset.

macOS

Try opening Date & Time settings

If it does not open, follow the steps below.

  1. Open System Settings → General → Date & Time.
  2. Turn on Set time and date automatically, then confirm the timezone.
  3. If timezone detection fails, review Location Services or select the correct timezone manually.

Linux

  1. Open the desktop Date & Time settings and enable Automatic Date & Time.
  2. On systemd systems, confirm network time with timedatectl status; administrators can enable it with timedatectl set-ntp true.
  3. If another service such as chrony manages time, verify that service instead of enabling two services.

iPhone and iPad

  1. Open Settings → General → Date & Time.
  2. Turn on Set Automatically and confirm the displayed timezone.
  3. If the control is unavailable, check Screen Time restrictions or a device management profile.

Android

  1. Open Settings → System → Date & time; names vary by manufacturer.
  2. Enable Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically.
  3. Reconnect to the mobile or Wi-Fi network, then restart the device if the time does not refresh.

If automatic time is unavailable or keeps failing

Work or school device
An administrator may lock date and time settings. Contact the organization instead of bypassing its policy.
Virtual machine
Check both the guest time service and host time integration. Competing sync sources can repeatedly move the clock.
Clock changes after restart
Install system updates, restart the time service, and check the hardware clock or battery on older computers.

Need to configure a time server?

For servers, routers, network appliances, or a custom Network Time Protocol (NTP) source, use the advanced NTP setup guide.

Open NTP Setup Guide

Verify the correction

After your system syncs, open Clock Drift Test. Use the measured clock offset and its error range to judge alignment; network latency describes the measurement conditions, not whether the clock is correct.

Run Clock Drift Test

Device Clock FAQ

Can Time.ms change my device clock?

No. Browsers are not allowed to change the operating system clock. Time.ms can measure the offset and guide you to the correct device setting.
Clock Drift Test

Why is my clock wrong by exactly one hour?

That usually points to a timezone or daylight saving setting, not a failed time sync. Confirm the selected timezone and automatic timezone setting.

Should I set the time manually?

Use manual time only as a temporary fallback. Automatic network time is more likely to remain accurate after restarts and over long periods.

Why is the automatic time setting disabled?

A work or school policy, Screen Time restriction, device management profile, or missing administrator permission may control it.