The basic steps to set your Samsung microwave clock

Most Samsung microwaves use the Clock button to enter time-setting mode. Press and hold the Clock button for three seconds until the display shows a blinking hour field. Use the number pad to enter the hour in 24-hour format (so 1 p.m. is 13), then press the Clock button again. The display will shift to the minutes field, which also blinks. Enter the minutes using the number pad, then press Clock one more time to confirm and lock in the time.

The exact button layout and display behavior varies slightly between Samsung microwave models — some show a colon blinking between hours and minutes, others show the hour and minute fields separately. Check your model's control panel: if you see a button labeled Clock, that is your starting point. If the button is labeled Time or Set Time instead, the process is the same, just with a different button name.

If your microwave has a touchscreen display rather than physical buttons, look for a Clock or Time icon on the screen itself. Tap it, and a time-entry field will appear. Use the on-screen number pad or arrow buttons to set hours and minutes, then tap a Confirm or Done button to save.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold the Clock button for three seconds to enter time-setting mode on most Samsung models.
  • Enter the hour first in 24-hour format, press Clock, then enter minutes and press Clock again to confirm.
  • Touchscreen models use an on-screen Clock or Time icon instead of a physical button.
  • If the time does not stick after a power outage, your microwave may need a backup battery replaced.
  • Refer to your model's manual or the label inside the door frame if your control panel layout looks different from standard Samsung designs.

What to do if the clock keeps resetting

Samsung microwaves that lose the time after every power outage or when unplugged have a dead or dying backup battery. This small battery (usually a CR2032 coin cell) sits on the control board and keeps the clock running during power loss. When it fails, the microwave still works normally, but the clock resets to 12:00 every time power is interrupted.

Replacing the backup battery requires opening the microwave cabinet, which means unplugging the unit first and waiting at least five minutes for the capacitors to discharge. The battery is usually located near the main control board, often held in a small plastic clip or socket. You can buy a replacement CR2032 battery at any drugstore or online retailer for a few dollars. If you are not comfortable opening the microwave yourself, a service technician can replace it in under an hour.

If the clock resets even without a power outage, the issue is usually a loose connection on the control board rather than the battery itself. This is less common and typically requires professional service.

Entering the time in 24-hour versus 12-hour format

Samsung microwaves default to 24-hour format (also called military time), which means you enter hours from 00 to 23. So 8 a.m. is 08, noon is 12, and 9 p.m. is 21. Some models allow you to switch to 12-hour format through a settings menu, but this varies by model and is not always available.

To check whether your microwave supports 12-hour mode, look for a Settings, Options, or Preferences button on the control panel. Press it and scroll through the menu options — you may see a choice labeled Time Format, Clock Format, or AM/PM Mode. If your model has this option, you can toggle it on. If you do not see it in the menu, your microwave only supports 24-hour entry.

Once you set the format, it stays that way until you change it again. The display will show the time in whichever format you chose, so if you switch to 12-hour mode, the clock will display 8:30 AM instead of 08:30.

When the display shows dashes or will not accept your input

A display that shows dashes (like "- - : - -") or does not respond to button presses usually means the microwave is in demo mode or the control panel is locked. Demo mode is a feature used in stores to show the microwave without it actually cooking. To exit demo mode, look for a Demo or Setup button on the control panel, or try pressing and holding the Stop/Cancel button for five to ten seconds.

If the control panel is locked (some models have a Child Lock feature), you will see a lock icon on the display. Press and hold the button labeled Lock, Child Lock, or Control Lock for three seconds to unlock it. Once unlocked, the Clock button should respond normally.

If neither of these steps works, unplug the microwave for two minutes, then plug it back in. This resets the control board and often clears temporary glitches. After it powers back on, try setting the clock again.

Syncing the microwave clock with your other devices

The microwave clock is useful for timing how long food has been sitting out or for coordinating with your oven timer. To keep it accurate, set it to match your phone, kitchen wall clock, or computer — pick whichever device you trust most. Most people use their phone since it syncs automatically to network time.

Samsung microwaves do not adjust automatically for daylight saving time, so you will need to manually add or subtract an hour twice a year when the time change occurs. Set a phone reminder on the morning of the time change so you remember to update the microwave clock.

If you have multiple Samsung microwaves in your home (such as one in the kitchen and one in a break room), you can set them all to the same time by following the same steps on each unit. There is no way to sync them wirelessly, so each one must be set individually.

Troubleshooting a microwave that will not accept the time you entered

If you press the number buttons and nothing appears on the display, the control panel may not have registered your input. This happens most often when buttons are pressed too quickly or when the microwave is still in the middle of a previous operation. Press Stop/Cancel once to clear any pending commands, wait two seconds, then try the Clock button again.

If the display shows your input but then reverts to the old time after you press Clock to confirm, the backup battery may be failing even if the time does not reset during power outages. A weak battery can hold the time for a while but lose it when you try to save a new entry. Replacing the battery will fix this.

Some Samsung models require you to press a specific confirmation button (like Start or Enter) after setting the minutes, rather than pressing Clock a second time. Check your manual or the label inside the microwave door for the exact sequence. If you do not have the manual, search online for your model number (usually printed on a sticker inside the door frame) and read the PDF from Samsung's support site.

Finding your microwave model number and manual

Your Samsung microwave model number is printed on a label inside the door frame, usually on the left side near the hinge. It starts with letters like MS, ME, or MG followed by numbers. Write this number down or take a photo of it.

Go to Samsung's support website, enter your model number in the search box, and read the user manual as a PDF. The manual includes a diagram of your specific control panel and step-by-step instructions for setting the clock. It also lists which buttons do what on your exact model, since button names and positions vary.

If you cannot find the manual online or your microwave is very old, contact Samsung customer service with your model number. They can walk you through the clock-setting process over the phone or email you a manual.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Samsung microwave clock reset every time the power goes out?

The backup battery that keeps the clock running during power loss has died. This is a small coin-cell battery (usually CR2032) on the control board. It costs a few dollars to replace and can be swapped out by a service technician or, if you are comfortable opening the microwave, by yourself after unplugging it and waiting five minutes.

Can I set my Samsung microwave to 12-hour time instead of 24-hour?

Some models have a Time Format or Clock Format option in the Settings menu that lets you switch to 12-hour mode with AM/PM display. Not all Samsung microwaves support this. Check your model's manual or press the Settings button and look for a time format option. If it is not there, your model only supports 24-hour entry.

What do I do if the clock display shows dashes and will not let me set the time?

Your microwave is likely in demo mode, which is used in stores. Press and hold the Demo or Setup button for five to ten seconds to exit it. If that does not work, try holding Stop/Cancel for five seconds. If the display shows a lock icon, press and hold the Lock button to unlock the control panel.

How do I find the right button if my microwave control panel looks different?

Look for your model number on the label inside the door frame, then search for the manual on Samsung's support website. The manual shows your exact control panel layout and tells you which button to press. If you cannot find the manual online, call Samsung customer service with your model number and they can guide you through it.

Does the microwave clock adjust for daylight saving time automatically?

No. Samsung microwaves do not adjust automatically, so you will need to manually add or subtract an hour twice a year when daylight saving time begins and ends. Set a phone reminder on those dates so you remember to update the clock.