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Fix: Set Time Zone Automatically Defaults to Wrong Time Zone

Make sure Windows has access to your location

6 min. read

Updated onOctober 6, 2023

updated onOctober 6, 2023

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Key notes

According to reports in forums, the set time zone automatically defaults to the wrong time zone in Windows 11. It’s not a recent problem, but affects all iterations of the OS.

The issue often arises after a Windows update or when users make changes to the PC. Remember, for problems like this, there’s no universal fix! You have to identify the underlying cause and execute the relevant solution.

Why is automatic time zone wrong on Windows 11?

How do I fix automatic time zone if it’s wrong in Windows 11?

Before we head to the slightly complex solutions, try these quick ones first:

If none work, move to the fixes listed next.

1. Enable the Windows Time service and change its properties

If the time zone orWindows time keeps changing, you just need to enable the Windows Time service and configure it to load automatically at startup.

2. Turn on location access

2. Set the default location using Maps

When Windows can’t access your location or time zone, it relies on the default location set in the built-in Maps app.

4. Enable daylight savings

5. Repair the corrupt system files

If the set time zone automatically changes to the wrong one or youcan’t change the time zone, it could becorrupt system filesto blame. And an effective fix against it is to runDISM commandsand the SFC scan!

6. Manually change the time zone

7. Uninstall conflicting apps

Third-party apps can also automatically change the time zone in Windows. To identify one,check the error logs. Filter them forEvent ID = 1orSource = Kernel-General. A user reported thatMaxproVideoGuardAgent.exechanged the time zone on their PC.

Once you have found it,uninstall the app. If things still don’t work out, download areliable software uninstaller tool, and use to delete all leftover files and Registry entries created by the program.

8. Perform an in-place upgrade

9. Create a new user account

If nothing else works and Windows still shows an inaccurate time zone or thetime zone option is greyed out, maybe it’s the user profile corruption to blame. In this case, simplycreate a new local account.

To make sure you don’t run into issues with permissions,switch to an administrator accountfor maximum privileges.

Why does my time zone keep changing by itself?

When the time zone keeps changing or never picks the current location, it’s the permissions, corrupt system files, or misconfigured settings to blame. Besides, if you are a frequent traveller and Windows is set to automatically detect the time zone, a few issues may arise.

The best option here is to enableLocation services, repair the corrupt files, or manually set the correct system time zone, and it won’t change automatically.

You now know why the automatic time zone is set wrong in Windows 11 and the fixes that work in every case. A few users also found that thePC stops updating timeand shows an incorrect time, but that’s easy to fix!

Remember, it’s best to let Windows handle all time and time zone-related tasks. Just make sure the OS is up-to-date, and you shouldn’t face problems!

For any queries or to share which fix worked for you, drop a comment below.

Fix: Set Time Zone Automatically Defaults to Wrong Time Zone#

How do I fix automatic time zone if it’s wrong in Windows 11?#

1. Enable the Windows Time service and change its properties#

2. Turn on location access#

2. Set the default location using Maps#

4. Enable daylight savings#

5. Repair the corrupt system files#

6. Manually change the time zone#

7. Uninstall conflicting apps#

8. Perform an in-place upgrade#

9. Create a new user account#

Why does my time zone keep changing by itself?#