The time on the computer is lost - what to do? The computer does not keep the time and date Why does the laptop reset the date and time

Problems related to the failure of the system date and time settings are rare, but when they occur, a lot of problems can arise. In addition to the usual discomfort, these may be failures in programs that access developer servers or certain services to obtain various data. OS updates may also fail. In this article we will look at the main reasons for this system behavior and how to eliminate them.

There are several reasons why the system clock does not work correctly. Most of them are caused by the negligence of the users themselves. Here are the most common ones:

• The BIOS power supply (battery) has exhausted its service life.
• Incorrect time zone settings.
• Activators of “trial reset” type programs.
• Viral activity.

Reason 1: The battery is dead

BIOS is a small program written on a special chip. It controls the operation of all components of the motherboard and stores changes in settings in memory. System time is also measured using the BIOS. For normal operation, the microcircuit requires autonomous power, which is provided by a battery inserted into a socket on the motherboard.

If the battery life is coming to an end, then the electricity supplied by it may not be enough to calculate and save time parameters. The symptoms of the “disease” are as follows:

Solving the problem is quite simple: just replace the battery with a new one. When choosing it, you need to pay attention to the form factor. The one we need - CR2032. The voltage of such elements is the same - 3 volts. There are other tablet formats that vary in thickness, but they can be difficult to install.

After these steps, there is a high probability that the BIOS will be completely reset to factory settings, but if the procedure is performed quickly, this may not happen. You should take care of this in cases where you have configured the necessary parameters that differ in value from the default ones, and you want to save them.

Reason 2: Time zone

Incorrect adjustment of the belt leads to the fact that the time is behind or too fast by several hours. The minutes are displayed accurately. When entering manually, the values ​​are saved only until the PC is rebooted. In order to fix the problem, you need to determine what time zone you are in and select the correct item in the settings. If you have any difficulties with the definition, you can contact Google or Yandex with a request like “find out the time zone for the city”.

Windows 10

Windows 8

Windows 7

The manipulations that need to be done to set the time zone in the “seven” are exactly the same as those for Win 8. The names of the parameters and links are the same, their location is identical.

Windows XP

Reason 3: Activators

Some programs downloaded from resources that distribute pirated content may have a built-in activator. One of the types is called “trial reset” and allows you to extend the trial period of paid software. Such “burglars” act in different ways. Some imitate or “cheat” the activation server, while others set the system time to the date the program was installed. We are interested, as you might guess, in the latter.

Since we cannot determine exactly what type of activator is used in the distribution, there is only one way to deal with the problem: remove the pirated program, or better yet, all at once. In the future, you should stop using such software. If you require some specific functionality, then you should pay attention to the free analogues that almost all popular products have.

Reason 4: Viruses

Viruses are the common name for malicious programs. Once on our computer, they can help the creator steal personal data or documents, make the machine a member of a bot network, or simply commit a lot of misbehavior. Pests delete or damage system files and change settings, one of which may be the system time. If the solutions described above do not solve the problem, then most likely your computer is infected.

You can get rid of viruses using special software or by contacting specialists on specialized web resources.

Conclusion

Solutions to the problem of resetting time on a PC are for the most part accessible to even the most inexperienced user. True, if it comes to virus infection, then you may have to tinker a lot. To avoid this, you need to avoid installing hacked programs and visiting dubious sites, and also install an antivirus program, which will save you from a lot of trouble.

Many times I have heard the question “Why does the date and time get lost on a personal computer or laptop???” In fact, there may be several reasons for this, both technical and software. Now let's look at them in order.

Technical reasons or better known as “Hardware problems”.

When saving date and time settings on our computer, the BIOS input/output system corresponds; it is in it that the time and date are stored, which are later used by operating systems and other software for their work and settings.

It often happens that the battery on the motherboard fails, on which the saving of BIOS settings depends and when you turn on the computer again, the time is updated by default to the production date of your equipment. Among the reasons may also be a burnt slot and the motherboard itself.

The reasons are software, known as “Soft”.

The first software reason that may be is a damaged BIOS firmware version. Next, when installing the operating system, a different time zone is set, different from the one in which you are located. Another reason may be that automatic updating of the date and time via the Internet is incorrectly configured or failures on the server providing such a service.

In 90-95% of cases, the battery in your motherboard is to blame. Yes, yes, exactly the battery. Or did you think that there are no batteries in the computer? Eat. And it is the battery that is responsible for all BIOS settings. And if the battery is worn out, the date and time settings, which are also written in the BIOS, will also be reset.

Why might the date and time on my computer get lost after each boot?

There is nothing to do, so take out the battery and go to the store and buy a brand new one of the same format 2032. Well, then it’s a matter of technology. And time will go as it should.

The principle of battery operation is that with a small charge it can save the settings of the CMOS memory, which in turn stores the minimum settings of our hardware, date and time.

But, there are cases that every time you turn on the computer, the time and date get lost or problems arise with choosing the boot priority in the BIOS. This means that the CMOS battery, which is on our motherboard, has exhausted its working life, in a word, it has simply run out. As a result, when the computer is turned off, no power is supplied to the CMOS memory to save the settings. Therefore, the next time you start, the PC boots with default settings. Sometimes the BIOS even notifies you about this and asks you to press “F1” to continue booting with standard settings or “Del” to enter the BIOS menu to set everything up as before.

The location of the CMOS battery is generally in the lower right corner of the motherboard.

And so, what needs to be done so as not to correct the time and date every time you turn on the computer. Since we already know that the reason for the constant time loss is a dead CMOS battery, we will have to go to an electronics or watch store and buy a new one. It looks like a small coin and has a 3V charge, usually the CR2032 type is used. Even if you ask the seller about a battery for a computer, I think he will understand what you are talking about and will give you the right product, so there should be no problems with this. Just in case, I'll show you what the battery itself looks like.

Attention!!! If your time and date are wrong for the first time, this does not mean that the battery is dead, perhaps it is a simple accident or the consequences of abruptly turning off the computer from the outlet. So, if everything is fine the next time you turn on the PC, then everything is fine with the battery.

How to replace the battery on the computer motherboard? It's actually quite simple. Taking a screwdriver, open the case and look for a socket with a CMOS battery at the bottom of the motherboard.

There is a tab on the side of the socket that you need to bend with a screwdriver to release the CMOS batteries. After which the battery itself will jump out of the socket. In some cases, you just need to lift the battery itself with a screwdriver and remove it with your hands.

There are also cases where on the motherboard the battery socket for CMOS is in a vertical position. In order to get it out, you need to slightly bend the part of the socket wall that holds the BIOS battery.

There is nothing complicated in installing a new BIOS battery; put it in the socket, lightly press it until it clicks, which indicates the battery is locked; if everything is ready, close the case cover and set the time. This completes the installation of the CMOS battery. Now you will not worry about such questions as: why the time and date on the computer get lost.

In order to always have the exact time, you also need to check the time synchronization.

1. Check the operation of the "Windows Time Service" service (Start - Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Services)

Windows Time Service - status Running - startup type Auto

2. For Windows XP

Open the time settings window (via the "Control Panel" or the clock in the system tray) and on the "Internet Time" tab, select the "Synchronize with an Internet time server" option and in the "Server" field specify the address, for example: time.microsoft. com

For Windows Vista and Windows 7

On the "Internet Time" tab, you must additionally click the "Change settings" button to open a window for changing NTP server parameters.

Time Zones

The first reason could be an incorrectly selected time zone. Therefore, when you load the operating system, the time is synchronized with the server and, accordingly, is set incorrectly.

To view which time zone you have selected, you need to right-click on the clock located in the tray and select “Set date and time” from the context menu.

In the next window, look at the set time zone. If it is selected incorrectly, click on the “Change time zone...” button and set the desired value. Then click on the “Apply” and “OK” button.

Change to another time

The second reason is the automatic transition to summer/winter time. As is known, this transition has been canceled in Russia since 2014. That is why the clock on your computer can either lag or rush by 1 hour.

To solve this problem, you simply need to update the installed operating system. If, for known reasons, you cannot do this, then we will consider other methods.

To do this, right-click on the clock in the tray again and select “Set date and time” from the context menu. In the next window, go to the “Internet Time” tab. Here we click on the “Change parameters” button. Now you need to uncheck the “Synchronize with an Internet time server” checkbox and click “OK.” Then click “Apply” and “OK”. Then simply set the correct time.

You can also try changing the time zone. For example, you had UTC+03.00 set, change it to UTC+02.00.

The battery on the motherboard is dead

The third reason why the time and date on a computer is lost may be a dead battery on the motherboard. Moreover, they get lost every time you turn off the power to the system unit.

The thing is that when the computer is disconnected from the mains power, the system time and BIOS settings are not lost only due to the power received from the battery. Therefore, when it sits down, when loading the operating system, a window may appear where you are asked to press F1, and then the time and date are incorrect.

In this case, you need to disconnect the system unit from the network, turn it with the back cover towards you, and unscrew the screws that secure the side covers. Then remove the side cover and locate the small battery on the motherboard. It is shaped like a tablet, provides a voltage of 3 volts and is usually called CR2016, CR2025, CR2032. Carefully take it out, it is secured there with a latch, and buy the same one in the store - they are not expensive. Then install the battery and put the parts of the system unit back together.

Now turn on the computer and immediately go into the BIOS. This can be done by pressing F2 or Del when loading the operating system. We set the correct date and time there. Then we exit the BIOS and wait for the system to finish loading. Then simply set the correct date and time on your computer.

The problem is solved by replacing the battery. This procedure is simple:

First, turn off and unplug your computer.
Then open the system unit cover.
It’s easy to find a BIOS battery, there’s only one of these: round, silver, the size of a five-kopeck coin.
Unlock the latch and carefully remove it from the motherboard.

After studying its labeling, purchase the same one. Even better, take it to a computer store for a sample.
Insert the new battery into place and you can turn on the computer.
Don't forget to set the current time and date on your computer.

It is more difficult to replace the BIOS battery in laptops and netbooks (not to be confused with the battery). If you do not have experience and suitable tools for disassembling laptops and netbooks, then it is better to contact familiar specialists or a service center.

At the same time, you can order cleaning of your laptop (netbook), because if its battery has deteriorated, then a lot of dust has probably accumulated inside the case over time, which needs to be removed. And at the same time, cooling systems, especially important for compact devices, should be maintained.

Viruses

The fourth reason is computer viruses. At the same time, they are embedded in system files and because of this, date and time settings can be lost.

Check your computer with an antivirus program. Moreover, it is better to do this not only with the one installed on the computer, but also with a couple of others. If something is wrong, remove any viruses found. If you are still in doubt, check non-system drives for viruses, format the system drive and reinstall the operating system on your computer

Due to a dead battery, not only does the date and time on the computer constantly get lost after switching off, but other problems often arise:

The device boot priority may go down and then your computer may stop booting altogether - you can read about this and other reasons separately.

The Internet browser will complain about certificates that are expired. When you try to open some sites, warnings will pop up about the expired certificates of these sites. The reason for this is the big difference between your computer's time and the sites' certificate date.

The antivirus will not be able to update its databases or the license key may be lost due to the difference in the time of its license and your system time.

Some programs may refuse to work at all.
So we do not recommend that you take this problem lightly. Moreover, you can eliminate it yourself and quite easily.

Why does the time on the computer go an hour ahead?

On a new computer (or on an old one, but with Windows recently reinstalled), when it is connected to the Internet, the time may constantly be set one hour ahead. This means that you most likely have synchronization with a server on the Internet activated and the time zone is incorrectly set.

To solve this problem, you need to tweak your computer a little - cancel time synchronization on the Internet. To do this you need to do the following:

Left-click on the time and date in the lower right corner of the screen. A window should appear in which we click “Change date and time settings”

Click the “Internet Time” tab

Select “Change settings”
Uncheck the box “Synchronize with an Internet time server.” Click “OK” and “OK” one more time.

All! Now your time on your computer will not go as fast as an hour.

Other reasons why the time on the computer is lost

It is extremely rare for a clock to go wrong due to other reasons. For example, due to activator utilities that reset the test period for paid programs in order to use them for free. They can change the time, prolonging the operation of such programs.

It is better not to use such programs. Otherwise, while ensuring the functionality of some programs, we can ruin the work of other, quite important programs, for example, antivirus update programs. As a result, we “catch” viruses due to failures in updating the antivirus program. Frankly speaking, there is little good in this.

Sometimes the cause of failures can be computer viruses themselves (which we have already “caught”!), which have embedded themselves in system files. If you suspect your PC is infected, check your system with an antivirus program. Although in such a situation, leading to date and time failures, it may be necessary not just “treatment”, but a complete reinstallation of the operating system.

Floating causes of date and time failures on a computer

Some users may experience floating date and/or time issues. For example, sometimes the time may be lost when turning off the computer and then turning it back on, and sometimes not.

Or only the time may be lost, but the date is preserved, and next time the date may “float”. The date can “float” both into the past (for example, it shows the year 2000) and into the future (for example, 2099).

The time can be reset to zero (00:00:00 at the time the PC was turned on), or it can be saved at the time of the previous shutdown, as if it was “frozen” at that mark “yesterday” (for example, at yesterday’s mark 20:43:49).

Floating problems are no less dangerous and insidious than constant time and (or date) failures.

BIOS battery is half dead

The floating problem, the absence of a clear repetition of failures may be caused by the fact that the BIOS battery is still a little “alive”.

For example, if yesterday you worked on the computer longer than usual, and today you turned it on earlier than usual, then the BIOS battery may be “enough” for this period of PC shutdown in order to remember and save the date and conscientiously “count down” the time. Accordingly, when you turn on the computer, you do not see any problems.

But as soon as we turn off the computer earlier than usual, and turn it on the next day later than usual - “come with a brush”, the date and time are already wrong, we did not have enough BIOS battery life for a longer period of time to turn off the PC.

Long computer shutdown

Floating problems can occur after the PC has been disconnected for a long time, for example, a month or more. This again serves as the first sign that the BIOS battery is already “half-dead”; it cannot withstand long periods of the computer not working, or long periods of disconnecting the computer from the 220V electrical network.

Conclusion on floating problems

Floating problems need to be addressed before they become permanent problems. Solve using the same rules as described above for persistent problems with date and (or) time failures:

replacing the BIOS battery,
refusal to use software that independently regulates the time on a PC,
checking for viruses and treating them.
Or even decide to reinstall the operating system if other methods do not allow you to get rid of the problem when the date and time on the computer is lost.
The correct date and time is a guarantee and an important sign of normal computer operation.

At the same time, if you see date and (or) time errors (constant or floating), this indicates a malfunction of the PC hardware or software. Such a computer must be repaired without waiting for the consequences of incorrectly setting the date and (or) time to develop.

Not so long ago we experienced time constantly getting lost after turning off the computer. But what if it is always exactly 1 hour ahead? And no matter how much you change it, it still goes forward or backward by an hour. In almost 100% of cases, the problem lies in an incorrectly set time zone. How to check this and where to change it will be discussed in this article.

The problem is relevant for all versions of Windows OS and is solved the same way everywhere.

So, in order to solve the problem of the time being set exactly an hour forward or backward, you need to right-click on the clock in the lower right corner of the screen on the taskbar and select “Setting the date and time” from the menu that opens.

Go to date and time settings

In Windows 10, the Time and Date window looks like this:

Changing the set time zone

Here, if your time is in a hurry by 1 hour, you need to select any time zone 1 hour less than the one you currently have.

For example, if you have +3:00 Moscow, and the time is 1 hour ahead, then you can choose any time zone with a value of 2:00. Moreover, it does not have to be your country. The only important thing is the first digits of the time in the name of the time zone.

Remember! If the time is constantly 1 hour ahead, then set the time zone to “currently set -1”, and if it is 1 hour behind, then select the time zone “currently set +1”.

Greetings, dear readers! It is simply impossible to avoid problems with the operation of computer equipment at all stages of its operation. A fairly common issue among users is time failure on their computer or laptop.

The main reason for incorrect timer readings is a low battery on the motherboard. Incorrect time zone settings, erroneous synchronization with the server, an operating system that has not been updated for a long time, the use of inappropriate activators and utilities, as well as computer viruses can also cause time and date failure on a PC.

As you probably already guessed, today’s article will talk about Why does the time on the computer go wrong?. We will learn the main factors that primarily contribute to a sudden change in the date and time on a personal computer.

The time on the computer is lost

Low battery on motherboard

To save BIOS settings and correct timer operation, a personal computer requires a power source. When connected to the mains, voltage is supplied to the motherboard. If the PC is disconnected from the network, the battery located in the heart of the motherboard becomes the power source. Signs of a dead battery will include the following signals:

— at rare or frequent intervals, the date and time are reset (calendar settings change depending on the release date of the motherboard);

— when you turn on the PC, messages appear on the screen warning of an error or low battery potential: “CMOS Battery State Low” or “CMOS Checksum Error”;

— when starting the computer, the system requires you to press the F1 (continue to boot the PC) or F2 (set default settings) keys;

— the browser often informs about expired certificates of sites being opened, due to the large difference between the local time of the personal computer and the date of the web resource certificate;

— anti-virus and other user programs do not work correctly due to links to outdated databases or loss of the license key (in some cases they simply do not start).

Most often, modern motherboards use CR series batteries with numbers 2016, 2025 and 2032.

To replace the battery, you will need to turn off the computer's power, open the cover of the system unit case, locate the battery in the motherboard, carefully move the latch to the side, remove the old battery and insert a similar new one. After this, you need to turn on the computer and update the current time in the PC BIOS. Speaking of BIOS, you can read this article:

Incorrect time settings on PC

Despite the government canceling the transition to winter/summer time, some operating systems still continue to automatically “adjust the clocks.” To avoid such a misunderstanding, you need to disable automatic translation in the settings of your personal computer. Here's another reason why the time on your computer gets lost.

To do this, right-click on the timer located in the lower right corner of the monitor and select the “Set date and time” option. Next, make changes to the time zone and uncheck the “Automatic transition to daylight saving time and back” checkbox (Fig. 1).

Sometimes operating systems default to updates that affect the current time. When you access the Internet, the OS automatically synchronizes with the server and independently updates the time for the appropriate time zone of the PC user. Some servers “out of old memory” continue to transfer computers to the “new” time. To achieve real-time results, you must also address the date and time settings. In the “Internet Time” tab, you need to click on “Change settings” and uncheck the “Synchronize with Internet time server” checkbox (Fig. 2).

If the time on your computer is exactly an hour forward or backward, then you can eliminate this problem by setting and changing the time zone indicating the nearest city.

To do this, you will need to go to the Update Center, update the OS packages and set the correct date and time (Figure 3).

Many people lose time on their computer and it happens quite often, but if you find out the reason, the problem can be solved quite easily.

Why does the date and time get lost?

One of the most common reasons why the date and time on a computer fails is that the motherboard battery has run out. In this case, the date and time on the computer are lost in almost all cases. Moreover, the reset will occur every time the power to the system unit is turned off.

To check, you need to go into the motherboard BIOS and look at the set time. If it goes wrong, it means the battery is dead. To replace it after turning off the power, you need to remove the system unit case, find the motherboard and remove the battery from under the latch. A dead battery must be replaced with a new one with a similar marking. After replacing the battery, turn on your PC and launch the BIOS again. Set the desired time and date. After this, the same must be done in the operating system.

If you set the time zone on your computer incorrectly, the time will also be constantly lost. What to do? To correct the time, you need to click on the time panel, enter the “change date and time settings” option and change the time zone. After this, you need to check synchronization with the server; if the time matches, you did everything correctly.

In connection with the abolition of daylight saving time in Russia, another problem has arisen. Time on a PC is either one hour ahead or behind. This problem is relevant for Windows 7, which can be resolved by downloading updates for the specified operating system. If you notice that the clock on your computer is going an hour ahead or an hour back, hurry up.

When using activators and utilities that reset the test period in paid programs, the time and date are changed to extend the program's operation. The problem is resolved after reinstalling Windows on your computer.

Sometimes viruses can cause time outages. Why don't you install an antivirus program on your PC and not ?

As you can see, fixing the time problem on your computer is not that difficult. We hope our instructions clearly explained what to do if the time on your laptop or computer is lost.