Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: I get "An error occurred while Windows was synchronizing with [name of time server]." when trying to automatically synchronise PC time

Windows time synchronization issue with firewall blocking NTP protocol.

Quick Answer: Try disabling or configuring your firewall to allow NTP protocol traffic.

You are experiencing an error message when trying to synchronize your PC time with a specific time server. This issue affects users who want to automatically update their computer's clock with the current time from an internet-based time server.

This problem can be frustrating, especially if you rely on accurate timekeeping for work or other critical tasks. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the 'An error occurred while Windows was synchronizing with [name of time server]' issue.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The primary reason for this error is that your personal firewall prevents clock synchronization. Most corporate and organizational firewalls, as well as some personal firewalls, block network time protocol (NTP) traffic by default. This can be resolved by temporarily disabling or configuring your firewall to allow NTP traffic.
  • Another potential cause is that the internet time server you are using is too busy or temporarily unavailable. In this case, trying a different time server or updating your clock manually may resolve the issue.

🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

Disabling and Re-enabling Windows Firewall

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type 'netsh advfirewall show currentprofile' and press Enter.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: In the window that appears, look for the 'Network Time Configuration' section. If it is disabled or not present, proceed to Step 3.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: Click on the 'Turn Windows features on or off' link in the left sidebar. Scroll down and check the box next to 'Windows Time'. Click 'OK' to save changes.

Configuring NTP Settings

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type 'timedate.cpl' and press Enter.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: In the Time Date Properties window, click on the 'Change settings' button next to the time server you are using. Make sure that the 'Automatically synchronize with internet time

✨ Wrapping Up

To summarize, the primary cause of the 'An error occurred while Windows was synchronizing with [name of time server]' issue is likely due to your firewall blocking NTP traffic. By disabling or configuring your firewall to allow NTP traffic, you should be able to resolve the problem and synchronize your PC clock accurately.

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