How to Change Date and Time in Ubuntu Linux
Changing the date and time in Ubuntu Linux lets you fix a wrong clock or set your system for a new time zone using either the Settings app or the command line. Ubuntu updates your clock automatically over the internet by default, but you can turn off automatic updates to set the exact date and time by hand.
Running the timedatectl set-time command on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS forces the system to accept your exact manual time right away. You can also open the graphical Settings menu to pick your time zone and adjust the clock with your mouse if you prefer clicking buttons.
Open Settings , click Date & Time, and toggle off Automatic Date & Time. Then, click the Date & Time section again to manually set your desired date and time.
How to manually change system date and time in Ubuntu Linux
You can change date time Ubuntu manually by turning off the automatic time setting in your system preferences. Open Settings , go to the Date & Time tab, switch off the automatic date and time option, and then set your own time and date using the on-screen controls. This fixes incorrect system clocks right away.
Below is how to do that.
Open Settings to manage your system preferences.
Alternatively, click on the System menu at the top-right corner of the top bar on your desktop.
On the System menu, select Settings, as highlighted below.
Click the 'Date & Time' tile in the Settings app to open its panel.
In the 'System Settings - Date & Time' panel, toggle the 'Automatic Date & Time' switch to the 'Off' position.
Ubuntu locks manual clock changes while network sync is enabled. Disable the automatic toggle first.
Once the Automatic Date & Time setting is turned Off, click the Date & Time calendar to set the date and time manually, ensuring your system clock is accurate.
Configure the Time, Month, Day, and Year on the pop-up window. Whatever settings you choose here will be applied system-wide.
That should do it! You can now close the Settings app.
Conclusion:
- Changing the date and time in Ubuntu Linux is feasible through the System Settings panel.
- Toggling the Automatic Date & Time switch to the off position allows users to set the date and time manually.
- By selecting the Date & Time tile, users can easily set the date and time according to their preferences.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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