Surface Pro X: Hardware Clock Setting Incorrectly in Windows 11 (UTC Time)

Introduction

The Surface Pro X is a versatile and powerful device from Microsoft, known for its sleek design and impressive performance. However, like any other technology, it may encounter issues that require troubleshooting. One common problem that Surface Pro X users might face is an incorrect hardware clock setting in Windows 11, which is set to UTC time instead of the local time. In this article, we will explore the causes of this issue and provide some potential solutions.

Causes

The Surface Pro X uses an automatic hardware clock setting via GPS when a cellular modem is present. However, if the cellular modem is not working properly, the hardware clock may default to UTC time. This can cause various issues in Windows 11, including incorrect time display and syncing issues with other devices.

Solutions

Method 1: Manually Setting the Time

The easiest way to fix an incorrect hardware clock setting is to manually set the time in Windows 11. Here's how:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
2. Click on "Time & Language".
3. Click on "Date & Time" on the left-hand side.
4. Toggle off "Set time automatically" and "Set time zone automatically".
5. Set the date and time manually, making sure to select the correct time zone.
6. Click "Save" to apply the changes.

This method should work if the hardware clock is not functioning properly. However, it may not be the most convenient solution, as you will need to manually adjust the time each time you restart your device.

Method 2: Updating the Time Service

Another potential solution is to update the Windows Time service, which is responsible for managing the system clock. Here's how:

1. Press the Windows key + X and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "PowerShell (Admin)".
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

w32tm /query

This command will display the current state of the Windows Time service.

3. If the service is not syncing correctly, type the following command and press Enter:

w32tm /config /manualpeerlist:pool.ntp.org /syncfromflags:manual /reliable:yes /update

This command will configure the Windows Time service to sync with the specified NTP pool.

4. Type the following command and press Enter:

w32tm /query

This command will display the updated state of the Windows Time service.

This method should update the Windows Time service and sync the system clock with an accurate time source.

Method 3: Updating the BIOS

If the previous methods do not work, it may be necessary to update the BIOS on your Surface Pro X. Here's how:

1. Go to the Microsoft Surface website and download the latest BIOS update for your device.
2. Extract the downloaded file and run the executable.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the BIOS.

This method should update the BIOS and potentially resolve any issues with the hardware clock.