I've been experiencing issues with time syncing on our domain. Some computers aren't updating their clocks properly, and I want to tackle a couple of things. First, I'm looking for a PowerShell script that could help me update the time on all domain computers. We use PDQ for deployment, so if it can integrate with that, great! Alternatively, I'd love suggestions for easier methods. Second, I'm trying to figure out why my Primary Domain Controller (PDC) isn't setting up as an NTP server. It keeps showing as Local CMOS or Free Running. Any ideas on what might be going wrong?
3 Answers
You might want to try using `w32tm.exe`. It has commands that can help you reset and configure your time sync settings. Make sure your PDC points to an external time source, and then everything on the domain should sync back to it. For clients out of domain, point them directly to your PDC as their time server.
Here's a quick command list:
- time sync reset
- time sync configure domain hierarchy
- time sync stop
- time sync start
- time sync reset
Check out the Microsoft documentation for setting up your PDC with an authoritative time source. It should help you avoid issues with time skew across your domain. You might want to look into the command sequence provided there, it could assist in getting your PDC configured correctly. However, make sure that your PDC is pointed to an external NTP source so the rest of your domain can sync properly with it.
Here's the link: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/services-hub/unified/health/remediation-steps-ad/configure-the-root-pdc-with-an-authoritative-time-source-and-avoid-widespread-time-skew
I tried following those steps, but it still shows Local CMOS or Free-Running Clock for me. I have a server in the domain that recognizes an NTP point as a time server, but the PDC won't switch over. Any thoughts?
You can find good guidelines for configuring your NTP time sync using Group Policy and pointing your PDC to an external NTP source. Check out this link for detailed steps on doing just that: https://theitbros.com/configure-ntp-time-sync-group-policy/. It breaks down how to set the external source on the PDC and how domain clients can sync with it, which should also help with your other domain controllers.
I’ve been trying to set up my PDC to point to an external source too, but it remains stuck on Local CMOS. I've also tried an internal NTP server, but nothing changes. I'm not sure what else to check!