5 Quick Ways to Fix Windows 10 Time Keeps Changing
Presence of malware may force the time to keep changing on your PC
6 min. read
Updated on
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial team Read more
Key notes
- If the time or time zone keeps changing on your PC, it might be because you have set it to update automatically.
- One quick and effective way to fix this issue is to set the correct server for Internet Time.
- Another effective solution is to set the Windows Time to start automatically from the Services settings.
The bottom right corner is often the most neglected portion of your computer’s display, where the time and date are displayed.
However, while it might be hard to believe the computer, with all its computing prowess, gets something as simple as the Windows 10 time wrong, it indeed is something that does happen with fair regularity.
Also, there can be various reasons for the Windows 10 time to keep changing. Mentioned here are the ways to remedy the situation.
Why does my time and date keep changing on Windows 10?
One of the primary reasons your time keeps changing on Windows 10 is the wrong settings. This can be because your time is synced with an internet time server.
This feature will automatically update your time and date even if you set them differently. Of course, this issue can also be down to a virus attack. Running your built-in antivirus will do the trick here.
Why does my time zone keep changing on Windows 10?
Your time zone keeps changing to the Pacific or Eastern on Windows 10 or 11 because your location setting is turned off. This can be solved by activating the feature from the Location Privacy Settings.
Also, this issue can be down to malware on your device. A simple virus scan should fix the problem.
How do I fix time if it keeps changing?
1. Change the time zone
- Right-click on the system clock on your taskbar.
- Select Adjust date/time.
- Toggle the switch for Set time zone automatically backward to deactivate it.
- Now, click the dropdown under Time zone and choose your time zone.
- To deactivate automatic time update, toggle the switch for Set time automatically off.
- Now, set your time and date accordingly.
Due to the automatic feature, your time zone might change on Windows 10 to a different location. Therefore, you must manually set the time zone to rule out such a scenario.
2. Set Internet Time
- Press the Windows + S button, type control, and select Control Panel.
- Select the Clock and Region option.
- Now, choose Set time and date under the Date and Time option.
- Click the Internet time tab at the top.
- Click the Change settings… button.
- Now, click the dropdown before Server and select time.windows.com.
- Finally, click the Update now button followed by OK.
If your time or zone keeps changing on Windows 10, it might sync with the wrong server. Setting it to sync with the Windows server will help recognize the time and location you set accordingly.
3. Scan for viruses
- Press the Windows key and type Windows security.
- Select Virus & threat protection in the left pane.
- Choose the Scan options.
- Select your preferred scan option and click the Scan now button.
The presence of malware can cause all sorts of problems on your PC. For example, this can be why your time zone keeps changing on Windows 10. Choose the Full Scan or Windows Defender Offline scan to perform a deep scan.
Alternatively, you can use dedicated antivirus software to eliminate the most stubborn viruses on your PC. And there is no better antivirus software than ESET NOD32.
This modern tool uses cutting-edge technology to protect you offline and online. It detects viruses before they can attack your PC and eliminates them accordingly.
From ransomware protection to password management and malware protection. ESET NOD32 takes care of everything privacy and security on your PC.
ESET NOD32
Fast and light antivirus that helps you eliminate any viruses interrupting your PC’s performance.4. CMOS battery getting weak
One of the most likely reasons the Windows 10 computer is not showing a stable time is that the CMOS battery might have passed its prime. This battery powers the CMOS chips also placed on the motherboard.
The chip contains vital information concerning the computer’s system configuration, including the date and time.
The battery ensures the chip can hold on to the information even when the computer is turned off or is not connected to a power source. This way, the next time you turn the PC on, you will find everything spot on and up-to-date.
Unfortunately, changing the battery requires a fair bit of hardware-repairing skills. Hence, it’s best to rely on your local hardware expert to replace the CMOS battery, or you can get in touch with the company support staff to get the job done.
5. Tweaking Services.msc setting
- Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and click OK.
- Scroll down to Windows Time and right-click it.
- Select the Properties option.
- Click the dropdown before Startup type and select Automatic.
- Now, click the Start button under the Service status section.
- Finally, click on the Apply button followed by OK.
Forcing Windows Time to start up automatically each time your PC starts can also effectively deal with time issues on Windows 10. here is how you do it.
How do I fix time if it keeps changing on Windows 11?
If your time keeps changing on Windows 11, you likely have the automatic update time and date feature activated. You can fix this by deactivating the quality and setting the time manually, as shown in this guide.
Also, if your PC has an active Internet time, your time can keep changing on Windows 11. The steps you need to fix this are detailed in this guide.
Why does my time zone keep changing?
Your time zone keeps changing due to the settings on your PC. This can be due to some features that are deactivated on Services settings.
Also, it might be because the CMO battery is getting weak. However, irrespective of the cause, we have detailed the steps to fix it in this guide.
Does BIOS time affect Windows time?
Yes, it does! However, the converse is not true. While Windows relies on BIOS time, the BIOS functions independently of the time set in the OS.
Also, you should not modify the date and time set in the BIOS unless it’s highly inaccurate or is causing trouble with Windows or the installed applications.
How do I find my BIOS time and date for Windows 10?
To find out or change the BIOS time and date in Windows 10 or even a later iteration, you must first enter the BIOS. Depending on the system manufacturer, this can be done when you turn on the computer by pressing the F10, F12, Del, or other keys.
Once in the BIOS, locate the Time and Date settings, and change it from there. This is a fairly simple process and shouldn’t take much time.
This is it. If your Windows 10 laptop time keeps changing or resetting, the above methods should correct things.
If you want to know how to change the time and date on Windows 10/11, check our detailed guide for the different ways to do it.
Please let us know if these tips helped keep your time zone consistent in the comments below.