How to fix the wrong date and time on your Mac

In this article, we’ll cover the essential steps on how to fix date and time on your Mac. Having the right date and time is vital for your computer to work well. We’ll guide you through how to ensure your Mac’s clock is always accurate.

Importance of accurate date and time settings on Mac

Accurate date and time settings on your Mac might seem trivial, but they play a surprisingly significant role in your daily computing experience.

Imagine sending an email with an incorrect timestamp; it can create confusion and lead to misunderstandings, both in professional and personal communications.

After all, many essential functions, like scheduled backups, software updates, and calendar events, rely on precise timekeeping.

If your Mac’s clock is off, you might miss crucial reminders or find that your automated tasks aren’t running as expected.

For example, if you use additional software such as project management tools and employee monitoring apps like Traqq, an inaccurate clock could lead to misreported work hours and skewed project timelines.

Beyond these considerations, accurate date and time settings also enhance your overall user experience. Your computer will accurately log files and activities, making it simpler to track and manage your digital life.

Thus, even though date and time settings may seem unimportant, they are vital for maintaining the smooth and efficient operation of your Mac.

What should you do?

Restart Your Mac

Before you start tweaking any settings, it’s a good idea to reboot your Mac. A simple restart can frequently resolve minor date and time issues.

Set Date and Time Automatically

To fix date and time on Mac, first check your Mac’s date and time settings:

• Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
• Navigate to System Settings > General and look for Date & Time.
• Select the option Set date and time automatically. This ensures that your Mac synchronizes with a reliable time server, keeping your date and time accurate. This should also be on by default.

Check Your Time Server

Sometimes, the issue may be with a time server. You can select a different time server that might work better for your system:

Go to the Date & Time settings.

• Click on the Set option next to Source.
• Enter the information for the new time server. You may try such servers as time.facebook.com and time.windows.com or search for alternative options.

Check Time Zone and Region Settings

Incorrect time zone settings can lead to various issues. It may result in calendar events displaying at the wrong times, scheduled tasks running at inappropriate hours, and even confusion when coordinating with people in different time zones.

Here is how to automate time zone settings:

• Navigate to the Date & Time settings.
• Activate the Set time zone automatically using your current location option.

Incorrect region settings can also lead to date and time issues on your Mac. To resolve this, follow these steps:

• Navigate to System Settings > General.
• Select Language & Region.
• Ensure that your preferred region is correctly set. If you need to change it, click the drop-down menu and select the correct region from the list.

Check for Software Updates

Date and time problems can sometimes arise due to outdated macOS software. Here is how to check if your system is up to date.

• Go to System Settings > General > Software Update.
• If updates are available, you will see them listed with descriptions.
• Click Update Now to install the latest updates. Make sure your Mac is connected to the internet to download and install these updates effectively.

You can also opt to schedule the installation for the overnight hours. Simply click Update Tonight. Ensure your Mac stays turned on, not in sleep mode, and stays connected to the internet overnight. If you can’t find an update button, it means your Mac is already using the latest software.

If you have multiple updates, click on More info to get details about each one.

To prevent future issues, you also can set automatic updates. Click on the Info button to access automation settings.

Check for Third-Party Software Conflicts

Some third-party tools or utilities may disrupt your Mac’s time settings. Start by identifying any recently installed third-party applications that might have access to system settings or time-related functions.

These can include system optimization tools, system monitoring apps, or VPN services. Once you’ve identified potentially problematic software, consider temporarily disabling or uninstalling it to see if the date and time issues persist.

Set Date and Time Manually 

If the previous steps didn’t help you to fix date and time on Mac, you can attempt to set the date and time manually:

• Go to the Date & Time settings.
• Uncheck the box Set date and time automatically.
• Now, you can input the accurate date and time based on your location.

While changing the date and time manually can be effective, it’s important to keep them updated if your time zone changes.

Consult with Apple Support

If you tried everything and the issue keeps happening, it could be a more serious problem. In this case, reach out to Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for help from experts.

Conclusion

Having the right date and time on your Mac is crucial for smooth functioning. Luckily, there are easy fixes, from adjusting settings to syncing with time servers. It’s often a good idea to start with the basics. Don’t forget to keep your Mac updated and be cautious about problematic software. By following these steps, you can ensure that your Mac’s clock is always accurate.

Main Photo by Lukas Blazek on Unsplash