- If the option to change the time zone settings is greyed out, Windows likely can’t access your location or has corrupted services.
- In some cases, the time zone is set based on the IP address provided by your ISP. If this is incorrect, you might need to change the network settings.
- In general, repairing corrupted files is the best way to get the problem fixed. If that doesn’t work, reinstalling Windows and ensuring it can access your location will do.
If you travel a lot, you might happen to stay at a place between two time zones. Windows can get confused on which side of the border you are currently, displaying the wrong time based on the incorrect zone. And if you can’t change time zone in Windows, then you might get numerous scheduling issues or certificate timeouts (which may prevent you from accessing the internet). You can try to fix that with some settings changes or reinstalling corrupted files.
Fix 1: Using the Manual Sync Option
If the option to change the time zone is not greyed out, then you can usually switch to a different one. But if Windows still won’t change the time based on that, you might need to give it a little push.
Step 1. Open Settings (“Win + I”).
Step 2. Go to the “Time & language” tab on the left, then to “Date & time.”
Step 3. Uncheck the boxes “Set time zone automatically” and “Set time automatically,” then change the time zone to the one you need.
Step 4. Click on the “Sync now” button under “Additional settings.”
This should prompt Windows to fetch the time from their server for the currently-selected time zone.
Fix 2: Enable Location Settings
Windows needs to access your device’s location (based on its internet connection) in order to determine the time zone and allow it to be changed.
Step 1. Go to Settings.
Step 2. Open the “Privacy & security” tab on the left, then select “Location” in the “App permissions” section.
Step 3. Enable the “Location services” toggle and the “Let apps access your location,” then expand it.
Step 4. If there’s a Settings app listed, make sure it’s also toggled on.
Fix 3: Restart the Windows Time Service
Windows Time Service is an underlying process in the operating system that might cause the issue where Windows can’t change time zone if it gets disabled or glitched.
Step 1. Search for “Services” in the search bar and click on the first result that pops out.
Step 2. Scroll down until you find Windows Time, then right-click on it and select “Restart” or “Start” (whichever option is available).
This should restart the service and allow you to change the time zone again.
Step 3. Double-click on the service and go to the “Log on” tab. It should list the account as “Local service” and have filled in password fields.
Fix 4: Run Windows in Safe Mode
To make sure that a third-party program is making it so that you can’t change time zone in Windows, you can run it in Safe Mode.
Step 1. Go to Settings and to System.
Step 2. Click on “Recovery” and go to “Advanced startup,” then “Restart now.”
Step 3. Windows should restart into a blue screen with various options. Go to “Advanced options,” then to “Startup settings,” and follow the instructions to enable “Safe Mode with Networking” (which should be option 5).
Step 4. Try to change the time zone as usual.
Step 5. Restart the PC, which should bring it back to normal mode with the time zone changed.
Fix 5: Repair Corrupted Files
Some corrupted files might prevent Windows from fetching proper time zone information.
Step 1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
Step 2. Run the following command:
sfc /scannow
Step 3. Wait for the program to finish, as it will automatically detect and try to repair corrupted files.
