Ubuntu has an easy way to keep your system clock synchronized with the internet time servers, but sadly it’s not enabled by default. Here’s the quick steps required to enable it for your system.

Note: We’ve previously written about how to do this in an older version of Ubuntu, but that method doesn’t work anymore.

Sync the Clock with Internet Time Servers

You’ll need to start off with Administration –> Time and Date.

Then use the Click to make changes button to enable the window.

Then change Configuration from Manual to Keep synchronized with Internet servers.

At this point you’ll probably be prompted to install NTP support, and asked for your password again, which is annoying.

At this point the window will change, and you can select the time servers you want to use—make sure that you set your Time zone properly here.

That’s all there is to it! You now have internet time up and running on your Ubuntu box.

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Lowell is the founder and CEO of How-To Geek. He’s been running the show since creating the site back in 2006. Over the last decade, Lowell has personally written more than 1000 articles which have been viewed by over 250 million people. Prior to starting How-To Geek, Lowell spent 15 years working in IT doing consulting, cybersecurity, database management, and programming work.
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