Fix Windows Time Synchronization Failure
Resolve time synchronization failure due to connection timeouts by changing the Windows NTP time synchronization server.
Recently, while testing programs between two computers, I accidentally discovered that their system clocks were more than 30 seconds apart. Upon checking the settings, I found that my desktop PC had failed its most recent time synchronization attempt, with the last successful sync occurring more than half a month ago. Clicking “Sync now” did not update the time either. My laptop showed that the last synchronization was successful, but pressing “Sync now” also failed to update the time.
Since Windows’ default NTP server is based in the United States, I suspected that either China Unicom’s broadband or the GFW (Great Firewall) was interfering again. After connecting both computers to a mobile hotspot, the time synchronization service immediately resumed normal operation. However, relying on a mobile hotspot was not a long-term solution, so I tried switching to a domestic NTP server, which successfully restored the time synchronization service.
Solution
Follow these steps to modify the system’s NTP server:
- Open Control Panel
- Navigate to Clock and Region
- Click Date and Time
- Switch to the Internet Time tab
- Click Change settings
- Modify the server (e.g., use Alibaba Cloud’s server:
ntp1.aliyun.com) - Click Update now to check if the server is accessible
- Click OK to save the changes
