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Asked: 2024-09-26T02:10:38+05:30 In:

How can I enable synchronization for the system clock on my Ubuntu machine?

I’ve been having a bit of a rough time with my Ubuntu machine lately, specifically when it comes to keeping the system clock accurate. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been on a Zoom call, and my clock is showing a different time than what everyone else sees. It’s not just embarrassing but also super inconvenient, especially when trying to coordinate meet-ups and deadlines.

I’ve done some digging around online, and I know there are ways to sync your clock automatically with time servers, but every guide I’ve found seems a bit complicated, and I’m honestly not sure where to start. I feel like each time I try something, I just end up in a rabbit hole of terminal commands that I barely understand.

So, here’s where I’m hoping the community can chime in. How do I enable synchronization for the system clock on my Ubuntu setup? Like, do I need to install anything extra, or is there some built-in feature that I’m missing? I’ve heard of NTP (Network Time Protocol), but does that mean I need to dive into the command line and mess around with configurations? I’m all for learning, but I’d really appreciate a step-by-step guide or at least some pointers to make this less intimidating.

Also, how often does the clock go out of sync if I leave it unchecked? I mean, I just want to know if it’s something that I should be checking daily or if it’s more of a weekly task. And if anyone has tips on troubleshooting common issues or what to do if it doesn’t work, that would be awesome.

Thanks in advance for any help! I’m really hoping to get this sorted out so I can stop stressing about my time being off. It feels like a small thing, but it really messes with my day-to-day. Looking forward to your suggestions!

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    2 Answers






    1. Ubuntu Clock Sync Help

      Syncing Your Ubuntu Clock Made Easy

      Sounds like you’re having a tough time with your clock settings! But don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it seems. Here’s a simple guide to help you get your Ubuntu clock synced and ticking away correctly.

      Step-by-Step Guide to Enable Time Sync

      1. Open the Terminal: You can do this by searching for “Terminal” in the menu.
      2. Check if NTP is installed: Type the following command: 
        timedatectl

        Look for a line that says “NTP synchronized:”. If it says “no,” don’t worry, we’ll get to that!

      3. Enable NTP synchronization: Just type this command: 
        sudo timedatectl set-ntp true

        This tells your system to automatically sync its clock with the internet.

      4. Check the status: Type the same command from step 2 again: 
        timedatectl

        Now, it should show “NTP synchronized: yes.” Woohoo!

      Do You Need Extra Software?

      Nope! Ubuntu comes with all the tools you need to handle clock synchronization. Just using the built-in NTP stuff is enough.

      How Often Does It Go Out of Sync?

      Generally, your clock should stay pretty accurate. If it’s synced, it can stay good for weeks or even longer! But if your machine isn’t synced, it might drift a little each day. So, it’s good to check on it every now and then—maybe once a week or so.

      Troubleshooting Tips

      • If for some reason it’s still not syncing, check your internet connection. NTP needs the internet to do its thing!
      • Also, make sure your time zone is set correctly. You can adjust it in the settings or with: 
        sudo timedatectl set-timezone Your/Timezone

        Replace “Your/Timezone” with the actual timezone (like “America/New_York”).

      And that’s it! Just follow these steps, and you should be good to go. Good luck with your Zoom calls—no more awkward time discrepancies!



    2. To enable automatic synchronization of your system clock on Ubuntu, you can use the built-in system service called `systemd-timesyncd`, which is a lightweight time synchronization service. Most likely, it is already installed on your system. To ensure it is enabled and running, you can follow these steps: open a terminal and run the command sudo timedatectl set-ntp true. This command tells your system to use Network Time Protocol (NTP) to sync the clock with remote time servers automatically. After that, check its status by running timedatectl status; you should see an indication that NTP is active. This process simplifies the synchronization without the need for complex configurations.

      Regarding how often the clock goes out of sync, it typically varies based on your hardware and timezone settings, but it’s usually not something that goes awry daily or weekly. Generally, a good practice is to leave the NTP service running for continual synchronization without worrying about checking it constantly. If you do encounter any synchronization issues, common troubleshooting steps include checking your internet connectivity, ensuring your firewall settings aren’t blocking NTP, and checking for any discrepancies in your timezone settings. More detailed configuration may be necessary if you run into persistent issues or require specific servers, but with `systemd-timesyncd`, it should generally maintain accuracy with minimal management.


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