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

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

Prompted by the answers to this question I decided to give the Windows built in time synchronisation another go.

Asked by: Guest | Views: 487
Total answers/comments: 4
Guest [Entry]

"You can add a new rule to SPF following the steps delineated here. The application is w32Time located under System32 is memory serves right.

However if SPF doesn't complain, the problem is certainly elsewhere. I see to remember having had problems with time sync before. I really can't remember what the reason was in end. But two things seem to nag me:

The service was stopped or in Manual or something, and needed to be in Automatic(?).
My router was blocking it

Errors coming from the time servers alone seem unlikely. As you say you have tried others. But in any case KB262680 contains huge lists of time servers you can use.

Meanhile KB314054 reveals manual configuration instructions of the service in the registry along with a detailed explanation of all keys further down the page. Could be a case of a bad registry configuration.

All the best."
Guest [Entry]

"Sometimes the problem is simply the windows time service. It seems to get confused every now and then and need to be restarted. This is especially true of older Windows releases and remains true for Windows 7.

Go to the ""Administrative Tools"" open the ""Services"" console (as administrator) and find the Windows Time service. Right click on it and choose Restart."
Guest [Entry]

"In the ""Internet Time"" tab, click ""Change settings"".

Search for an NTP server that's close to your location, here's a great search engine that gives you a good NTP server closest to your location (watch out the bold link, select & copy it to clipboard), but there are also continent, country and regional links, so get as close as you can.
In the ""Server"" text box, enter the link of the NTP server you selected
Click ""Update now""
That should work"
Guest [Entry]

I solved this problem by rebooting my router. My router was apparently in a weird state as I was having problems with other URLs as well.