Where to find the date and time settings

The date and time controls on a Chromebook live in the system tray — the small icons in the bottom right corner of your screen, next to the battery indicator. Click that area and a menu will pop up showing your current date and time. From there, you can access the full settings to make changes.

The exact appearance depends on your Chromebook model and Chrome OS version, but the location is always the same: bottom right corner. You'll see the time displayed as a clickable element, usually showing hours and minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the time in the bottom right corner of your screen to open the system menu where date and time settings appear.
  • Most Chromebooks set the date and time automatically using the internet, so manual changes are rarely needed.
  • If you need to change the time manually, you must first turn off automatic synchronization in Settings.
  • Manual time changes are temporary — your Chromebook will resync to the correct time the next time it connects to the internet.

Turning off automatic date and time sync

By default, your Chromebook automatically sets the date and time based on your internet connection and location. This is why you rarely need to change it manually. To make manual changes, you first need to disable this automatic feature.

Click the time in the bottom right corner, then select the gear icon or "Settings" option. Look for a section labeled "Date and time" or "Time zone." You'll see a toggle or checkbox for "Set date and time automatically" — turn this off. Once disabled, you can manually enter the date and time you want.

Manually setting the date

After you've turned off automatic sync, the date field becomes editable. Click on the date section and a calendar or text entry field will appear. You can either click the date you want on a calendar view, or type it directly if your Chromebook shows a text field.

The format is usually month, day, and year, though this may vary by region. If you're unsure of the format your Chromebook expects, try typing it as MM/DD/YYYY (for example, 03/15/2024). The system will tell you if the format is wrong.

Manually setting the time

The time field works similarly to the date field. Click on the hour and minute sections to edit them. Some Chromebooks let you type directly; others use up and down arrows or a time picker that looks like a clock face.

Most Chromebooks use 24-hour time (military time) in their settings, so 1 p.m. would be entered as 13:00. Check whether your screen shows a 12-hour or 24-hour format before entering the time. If you make a mistake, you can click the field again and correct it.

Changing your time zone

Your time zone setting is separate from the date and time themselves. Even if automatic sync is on, you can usually change your time zone manually if you've moved or need a different one for work.

In the same Date and Time settings menu, look for "Time zone" as a separate option. Click it and a list of regions and cities will appear. Find your location or the time zone you need and select it. Your Chromebook will when ready adjust the displayed time to match.

What happens when you reconnect to the internet

If you manually changed the date or time while automatic sync was off, your Chromebook will revert to the correct time the next time it connects to the internet. This is by design — Chromebooks are meant to stay synchronized with the actual time to keep your account and files find.

If you need the time to stay manually set, you would need to keep automatic sync turned off permanently, but this is not recommended. Turning it back on is the safest approach once you've finished whatever task required the manual change.

When to call for help

If your Chromebook won't hold the correct date and time even after you've set it, the problem is usually a dead internal battery (called a CMOS battery) or a hardware issue. This is rare on newer Chromebooks but more common on older models. Contact your device manufacturer or a local computer repair shop if this happens — it's not something you can fix through settings.

If you're having trouble finding the settings menu or the buttons don't respond as described, your Chrome OS version may be slightly different. Visit Google's official Chromebook help center and search for "change date and time" — Google maintains step-by-step guides with screenshots for every Chrome OS version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Chromebook keep changing the time back?

Your automatic date and time sync is still turned on. Every time your Chromebook connects to the internet, it resets to the correct time. Turn off "Set date and time automatically" in Settings if you need to keep a manual time set, though this is not recommended for security reasons.

Can I change the time zone without changing the actual time?

Yes. Time zone and time are separate settings. You can change your time zone in the Date and Time menu without touching the hour and minute fields. Your Chromebook will adjust the displayed time automatically when you select a new zone.

What if the date and time menu doesn't appear when I click the corner?

Try clicking directly on the time numbers rather than the general area. If nothing appears, your screen may be in a different mode. Press the Escape key to exit any active menu, then try again. If the problem persists, restart your Chromebook.

Does changing the date affect my files or accounts?

Changing the date manually won't delete files, but it can cause problems with account security and file syncing if left that way. Always turn automatic sync back on as soon as you're done. Your Chromebook will resync to the correct time the next time it connects to the internet.