Methods to fix incorrect date and time on Mac screen

It's not common for a Mac to display the wrong time and date. However, this can happen on a Mac that has been idle or disconnected from the internet for a long time. Fortunately, fixing a Mac's clock that's showing the wrong time and date is very easy.

Fix Mac that displays incorrect time and date

Normally, Macs are set up to automatically replace their clocks by connecting to Apple's reliable time service (time.apple.com) via an Internet connection. This explains why a Mac that has not been connected to the Internet for a long time may display an incorrect date and time.

Apart from this, there will be different causes for your Mac to display an incorrect time, from a time zone change (during a trip) to minor software glitches that can prevent the Mac from updating its clock.

Let us check the methods to fix a Mac that displays incorrect date and time.

Restart your Mac

The simple act of restarting a PC has the ability to fix minor software glitches and repair problems. Therefore, you should not give up on this simple step of restarting your Mac to see if it can actually fix the inaccurate time and date on your Mac.

1. Click the Apple button in the top left corner of your screen, and then click the Restart button in the drop-down menu.

Test the date and time settings on your Mac

Follow the steps below to ensure that your Mac is indeed set to set its time automatically by connecting to Apple's time service.

1. Click the Apple button in the top menu bar of your Mac, and then click the System Preferences button and choose from the drop-down menu.

2. On the System Preferences screen, click on Date & Time Selection.

3. In the following display, make sure that the Set date and time robotically option is enabled (See image below)

4. Allows the choice of Set date and time automatically if it is not enabled on your machine.

Note: You must be logged into your administrator account to enable or disable the "Set date and time robotically" option.

Manually set the date and time on your Mac.

As we mentioned before, your Mac may display an incorrect time whenever you cross a time zone while traveling, and also as a result of minor glitches in your Mac's software. In that case, you can manually adjust your Mac's clock by following the steps below.

1. Click the Apple button in the top menu bar of your Mac, and then click the System Preferences button and choose from the drop-down menu.

2. On the System Preferences screen, click on Date & Time Selection.

3. On the Date and Time screen, first uncheck the option Set date and time robotically, after which the Date and Time determined manually will be set as required (See image below).

Allows the Mac to set the time zone robotically

If you are a frequent traveler, you can set your Mac to automatically set the time zone using Location Services. This feature is suitable if you travel regularly and also do not have any issues allowing Location Services on your machine.

1. Click the Apple button in the top menu bar of your Mac, then click the System Preferences icon and choose from the drop-down menu.

2. On the System Preferences screen, click on Date & Time Selection.

3. On the Date and Time screen, first press the Time Zone button , after which it allows you to choose the time zone (See image below).

4. Next, you'll see a pop-up window informing you that Tracking Companies should not be enabled on your machine. Click the Open Privacy Preferences… button.

5. From the Security and Privacy screen, first allow location companies, then click the Private… button located after System Companies (See image below).

6. On the back screen, select Set time zone and tap Done.

With this setting, your Mac will be able to override the Date and Time based primarily on the situation of your machine. Whenever you cross time zones, your Mac will make use of Location Services to locate your location and make use of an acceptable time zone to adjust the Date and Time on your Mac.

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