Set Time Automatically - Turns Off By It Self

[CCTVDude]

Hi,

Working on a bunch of 2016 & 2019 servers in a CCTV application and time sync is very important. All computers are in local workgroup, no domain. I have found servers with the wrong time and the Set Time Automatically Option grayed out or turned off. I click to enable and the time sync's with our time server so all of that is working correctly.

Any idea's why auto time sync gets turned off?

Thanks

Kevin

[#2]

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time sync is very important.

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What are you trying to sync with?

(assuming a non-domain environment)

w32tm /unregister
net stop w32time
w32tm /register
net start w32time
w32tm /config /manualpeerlist:<ntp ip address> /syncfromflags:manual /reliable:yes /update
net stop w32time
net start w32time
then check
w32tm /query /source
w32tm /query /configuration

[#3]

@CCTVDude 

Hello CCTVDude,

I understand your concern about Set Time Automatically Option being grayed out or turned off. 

You can try the below fixes if it works for you.

Method 1: I suggest you to turn on the automatic time setup if not yet done.

• In the Search bar field, Type date and time
• Then, click on Change the date and time settings.
• Now, turn on the Set time zone automatically and Set time automatically.

Method 2: You will have to check the status of the Windows Time service.

The Windows Time Service maintains the date and time synchronization on all client and network servers. If the service is stopped, date and time synchronization will be inaccessible. If this service is disabled, any services that specifically depend on it will fail to start.

Step 1: Need to Stop the service:

• Press Windows Key + R from the keyboard and then
• Type services.msc, to open the Services window.
• Search for Windows Time service and stop it.
• To do so, right-click on each service and select Stop
• Next, Restart the device.

Step 2: You must start the service and set it to automatic:

• Press Windows Key + R on the keyboard and type
• services.msc, Services window gets opened.
• Search for Windows Time service, right-click on it and press on.
• Go to Properties.
• Now, Start the service, and
• Set the startup type to Automatic.

The main problem is Windows Time will not start since it's set to manual and greyed out.

However, You can try the below solution if it turns off by itself. 

Click Run, then type Regedit.

Go to Computer, \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time

Now, Modify the start dword and change its value to '2'.

Restart your computer. While Windows time service is still grey out, we have been able to start it.

Now go to Date / Time by right-clicking your time in the bottom right corner. And then click Adjust to set date/time.

You will then see a spinning blue circle as Windows uses all of your CPU's power to change the server time to automatic. You have to give it some time to complete the operation. Thus, your time will now be automatic and working again.

So the solution above of changing the start value may and probably will work with any greyed-out service that you need to start.

I hope it helps. Kindly update the status of the issue. I will be happy to help you.

----------------------

Regards,
Austin_M

[#4]

@CCTVDude 

(I know this is a late reply, but for others Googling this issue.)

Location Privacy - if "Allow desktop apps to access your location" is turned turned off, then "Set time zone automatically" will turn off by itself if you turn it on.   

Accurate location is needed by settings to figure out what timezone should be set. 

[#5]

You are amazing! I've been dealing with this time issue for a few months now and you are the only person to solve this. Thank you so much!