HP PCs – Setting Time and Date, Clock Losing Time, Time and Date Incorrect (Windows 10)

Setting the date and time

Follow these steps to change the date and time settings.

1. Click the date and time in the taskbar, then click Date and time settings.Figure : Clicking the Date and time settingsThe Date and Time window displays.Figure : Date and time window
2. To set your computer clock to update automatically, turn on the Set time automatically setting.
3. To change the date and time manually, click the Change button in the Change date and time section.The Change date and time window opens.Figure : Change date and time windowClick the arrow () in the setting box and make your selection. When the settings are correct, click Change.
4. To change the time zone, click the box in the Time zone section, then select the correct time zone.Figure : Selecting the correct time zone

Synchronizing time with Internet Time server

Windows can automatically synchronize the date and time with a time server to make sure the accurate time is displayed. Follow these steps to enable Internet Time:

NOTE: If your computer is part of a domain, the Internet Time feature is not available. Contact your System Administrator for clock synchronization information.

1. Click the date and time in the taskbar, then click Date and time settings.Figure : Clicking the Date and time settingsThe Date and Time Window opens.Figure : Date and Time window
2. Scroll to the Related settings section, then click Additional date, time, & regional settings.Figure : Clicking Additional date, time, & regional settings
3. Click Date and Time.Figure : Clicking Date and Time
4. In the Date and Time window, click the Internet Time tab, then click Change settings.Figure : Clicking Change settings
5. If you are prompted for an Administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
6. Make sure that Synchronize with an Internet time server is checked.Figure : Synchronize with an Internet Time server
7. Make sure the computer is connected to the Internet and click the Update Now button.
8. The computer connects to an Internet server and updates the time on the computer.NOTE: If the computer fails to receive an update from the selected Internet Time server, a message opens stating that an error has occurred. Select a different server and try again.
9. Click OK.
10. Internet Time is now enabled on your computer.

The computer clock loses time

If the time in Windows does not match the current time, or has to be reset often, use these steps to troubleshoot the problem.

NOTE: Troubleshooting computer clock issues can require restarting the computer or monitoring clock performance over time. HP recommends printing this document for future reference.

Step 1: Disable or enable the Internet Time settings

Some computers can be configured to synchronize the computer clock to an Internet Time clock when the computer connects to the Internet. Synchronizing the computer clock with the Internet Time usually provides the most accurate method of keeping time and is normally recommended. However, in some cases, connecting to the Internet Time clock server may cause the computer clock to display the wrong time.Complete the following actions to verify the correct time zone is set and to toggle the Internet Time setting to improve the accuracy of the computer clock.

1. Click the date and time in the taskbar, then click Date and time settings.Figure : Clicking the Date and time settingsThe Date and time window opens.Figure : Date and time window
2. Look at the Time zone section, and make sure the correct time zone is selected.If the time zone is not correct, click the arrow () in the box, then select the correct time zone.Figure : Selecting the correct time zone
3. Scroll to the Related settings section, then click Additional date, time, & regional settings.Figure : Clicking Additional date, time, & regional settings
4. Click Date and Time.Figure : Clicking Date and Time
5. Click the Internet Time tab, then click Change settings.Figure : Clicking Change settingsNOTE: If your computer is part of a domain, the Internet Time feature is not available. If the Internet Time tab is not displayed, go toStep 2: Updating the BIOS to continue troubleshooting or contact your System Administrator.
6. If you are prompted for an Administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
7. Change the Synchronize with an Internet Time server setting.
   • If the setting is already checked, remove the check mark from the Synchronize with an Internet Time server setting.
   • If the setting is not already checked, select the check mark on the Synchronize with an Internet Time server setting.
   Figure : Synchronize with an Internet Time server
8. Click OK.
9. To restart your computer, right-click Start (), select Shut down or sign out, then select Restart.Wait for the computer to restart and Windows opens.
10. Monitor the computer clock to see if the problem continues. If the computer clock remains accurate, you are done. Otherwise, complete these steps again to reset the Internet Time setting back to its original condition, and then go to Step 2: Updating the BIOS.

Step 2: Updating the BIOS

If your computer has a BIOS update available, the update might fix problems causing your computer clock to display the incorrect time. For directions to find and update the BIOS, refer to the HP support document Updating the BIOS (in English) for desktop computers, or Updating the BIOS (in English) for notebook computers.After updating the BIOS, monitor the computer clock to see if the problem continues. If the computer clock remains accurate, you are done. Otherwise, go to Step 3: Removing and reinstalling the Real-time clock to continue troubleshooting.

Step 3: Removing and reinstalling the Real-time clock

If your computer clock displays time inaccurately, try removing and reinstalling Real-time clock with the system operating in Safe Mode. Use the following steps to perform this task:

   CAUTION: Do not attempt to reinstall the Real-time clock in normal boot mode. System damage may occur.

1. Restart the computer in Safe Mode. For more information about Safe Mode, see Safe Mode (Windows 10, 8) (in English).
2. When your computer restarts, search for and open Device Manager.The Device Manager window opens.
3. In the Device Manager window, double-click System devices.Figure : Double-clicking System devices
4. Right-click System CMOS/real time clock, click Uninstall, and then click OK in the Confirm Device Uninstall window.Figure : Clicking Uninstall System CMOS/real time clock
5. When the System Settings Change window opens, click Yes to restart the computer.Figure : Clicking Yes in the System Settings Change windowThe real-time clock reinstalls automatically.

Error code: CMOS Time and Date Not Set

Computers contain an internal backup battery to keep time in the same manner as a watch keeps time. The internal battery is referred to as a CMOS or Real-Time Clock (RTC) battery. Computers rely on the internal backup battery to keep time when they are off. The internal CMOS or RTC backup battery should be replaced when it runs low on power.

NOTE: Troubleshooting computer clock issues can require restarting the computer or monitoring clock performance over time. HP recommends printing this document for future reference.When starting the computer, if your computer displays the error code CMOS Time and Date Not Set, the CMOS or RTC battery probably needs to be replaced. Follow the links and directions below, depending on your type of computer, to find information on replacing the CMOS or RTC in your computer.

• For desktop (tower) computers, go to Removing and Replacing the CMOS Battery (in English), then follow the directions to replace the CMOS battery.
• For HP TouchSmart, All-In-One (AIO), and Notebook computers, complete the following actions:
  1. Go to HP Customer Support (in English).
  2. Type your computer series name and the words real-time clock in the search field at the top of the Web page, then click the search icon ().For example, type HP Envy 15-3000 real-time clock to find a list of documents with information on the HP Envy 15-3000 series computer and real-time clock issues.Figure : Example of HP Customer Support search
  3. In the search results, look for a link to a document describing how to remove and replace the real-time clock or CMOS battery for your HP TouchSmart, AIO, or Notebook computer series, and then click the link.Figure : Example of HP Customer Care search results   CAUTION: If you cannot find a document explaining how to remove and replace the CMOS or RTC battery for your specific computer series, do not attempt to replace the battery. Contact an Authorized Service Center for repair.
  4. Follow the directions listed in the document to replace the CMOS or RTC battery.

System clock displays incorrect time after resuming from hibernation

On some computers, the system clock may stop or reset after the computer resumes from hibernation. Updating the BIOS might fix the problem. For directions to find and update the BIOS, refer to the HP support document Updating the BIOS (in English) for desktop computers, or Updating the BIOS (in English) for notebook computers.

Taskbar clock does not work or respond

If the clock on the taskbar is not working, use the following instructions to edit the registry.

   CAUTION: An incorrect registry entry can cause serious system problems or prevent the computer from starting. If you must edit the registry to resolve issues, you should always make a backup first. If the registry is damaged due to editing but has not been backed up, the only resolution may be a system recovery.

1. In the search box, type regedit, then select regedit from the search results.Figure : Selecting regedit
2. Select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.Figure : Selecting HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
3. Select SOFTWARE.
4. Select Microsoft.
5. Select Windows NT.
6. Select CurentVersion.
7. Select ImmersiveShell.
8. Right-click the ImmersiveShell folder, and select Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value.
9. Name the value UseWin32TrayClockExperience is checked.
10. Change its value to: 1.
11. Restart the computer to apply the changes.