A known problem which bothers many is incorrect time on the Windows 10 clock. While it could go unnoticed most of the time, we need to understand that the Windows clock represents the system time and any discrepancies with the same would cause error in the system and web browsers. Eg. Errors showing lack of certificates would occur on web browsers signaling that the certificates for the site have not been updated. However, the fact would be that the clock of your system would be set in the past or future such that they do not recognize the certificates.
Cause
We cannot narrow down the cause to a single one since the issues could be many.
However, we could try the following solutions step-by-step and hope it resolves the problem.
A possible reason – CMOS battery may be dead
Motherboard has a battery which keeps the system clock ticking when there is no power given. It may happen that , this battery is dead and needs replacement. If this is the case, replace the battery.
Solution 1 – Check Time Zone settings
1 – Open Settings by hitting Windows and I key
2 – Now, Click on Time & Language
3 – Now, Make sure Time zone is correct and Set time zone automatically is turned ON
Solution 2 – Change Synchronization server
We can synchronize the system clock with a different time server, if the system is connected to the internet.
1] Press Win + R to open the Run window and type the command timedate.cpl and click OK.
2] Select the Internet time tab and then
3] click on Change Settings.
4] Check the box next to Synchronize with an Internet time server.
5] Select time.nist.gov from the Server drop down menu.
6] Click on Update now twice to synchronize the settings.
Note: Please make sure that Synchronize with an internet time server is checked. If it is not checked, please check it.
7] Select OK to save the settings.
8] Now Press Windows key +I to open settings. Now, go to Time & Language and make sure your time zone is correct.
9] If not, then turn off set time zone automatically and then choose your correct time zone.
Solution 3 – Check the Window time service
In case the Windows time service is stopped or not set to automatic, the system won’t update the time by itself. Thus, we need to ensure it is active and running.
1] Press Win + R to open the Run window. Type services.msc and press Enter to open the Services window.
2] Scroll the list to find the Windows time service. Check if its status is Running.
3] Right-click on the service and select Properties.
4] Change the Startup type to Automatic and click on start if it is not running.
As an added step, open the Log On tab on the same window and check that the radio button should be selected on Local System Account and the Allow service to interact with Desktop checkbox should be checked.
Solution 4 – Re-register Windows time using command prompt
1] Press Win + R to open the Run window and type the command cmd. Press CTRL + SHIFT + Enter to open the COMMAND PROMPT window with admin rights.
2] Type the following commands one by one in the command prompt window and press Enter:
w32tm /unregister w32tm /register w32tm /resync
3] If you are not logged in as the system administrator, you could use the command net time /domain instead.
Solution 5 – Registry level fix
Note: Please backup your system’s data before attempting Registry level fix.
1] Press Win + R to open the Run window and type the command regedit. Press Enter and it would open the Registry Editor window.
2] Navigate to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\TimeZoneInformation\
3] On the right-pane, right-click anywhere on the empty space and choose DWORD (32-bit) value, if you have a 32-bit system and QWORD (64-bit) value if you have a 64-bit system.
4] It would ask for the name of the value. Write it as RealTimeIsUniversal and press Enter. The value would emerge as a new entry on the right-pane.
5] Right-click on the RealTimeIsUniversal value and select Modify.
6] Change the value of Value data to 1.
7] Now change the time zone as mentioned in Solution 1.
Hope it helps!