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uk Technology & digital loss device clock reset • computer time wrong • phone date reset • system clock keeps changing • time and date incorrect • your clock is behind • your clock is ahead • secure website not loading • https sites not working • certificate date invalid • secure connection failed • connection not private warning • tls certificate error • browser says insecure • wifi works but secure sites fail • safari can’t establish secure connection • chrome clock error • firefox time error • device lost time after restart • laptop battery clock problem

What to do if…
your device clock resets and secure websites stop loading correctly

Short answer

Set your device’s date/time correctly (prefer “set automatically”), then restart the browser (or device) and try again. Don’t bypass security warnings while your clock is wrong.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t click through “Your connection isn’t private” / certificate warnings just to “get in”.
  • Don’t enter passwords, card details, or one-time codes on any page showing a security warning.
  • Don’t install “certificate fix” apps/extensions or accept random “security updates” offered by pop-ups.
  • Don’t change lots of security settings at once (VPN/proxy/“web protection”/antivirus HTTPS scanning) without noting what you changed.

What to do now

  1. Pause anything sensitive. If you were trying to sign into banking, email, work, HMRC, or GOV.UK services, stop until the clock is correct.
  2. Set the clock to automatic time and confirm the time zone.
    • Windows: Settings → Time & language → Date & time → turn Set time automatically ON and Set time zone automatically ON (or choose the correct zone), then use Sync now if available.
    • Mac: System Settings → General → Date & Time → turn on Set time and date automatically and confirm your time zone.
    • iPhone/iPad: Settings → General → Date & Time → turn on Set Automatically.
    • Android (varies): Settings → Date & time → turn Automatic date & time ON and Automatic time zone ON (wording/paths vary by device).
  3. Restart the simplest thing first. Close and reopen the browser. If that doesn’t help, restart the device.
  4. Check if it’s only one network. Try a different connection (mobile hotspot or another Wi-Fi). If it works elsewhere, your router/network filtering/captive portal may be involved.
  5. Temporarily disable VPN/proxy or HTTPS inspection you control. Some VPNs and security tools can interfere with secure connections. Change one thing, test, and then restore what you turned off.
  6. Update the browser/OS if you can. If the device is far behind on updates, some modern secure sites will fail even after fixing the time.
  7. If the clock resets again after a restart, treat it as a reliability warning. On some laptops/desktops this can happen if the internal clock battery/RTC is failing. If you need to access important accounts today, use a different trusted device until this is fixed.
  8. If you suspect a scam or account compromise, use safe reporting routes.
    • If it’s a suspicious email or website: forward emails to report@phishing.gov.uk and forward suspicious texts to 7726.
    • If money was lost or accounts were accessed: in England/Wales/Northern Ireland, report via the Report Fraud service; in Scotland, contact Police Scotland (101 for non-emergency) and follow their cybercrime/scam guidance.
    • Don’t use links from pop-ups or suspicious messages; use saved bookmarks or type known addresses.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide whether it’s malware vs hardware right now — first get the clock stable and stop entering credentials while warnings show.
  • You do not need to reinstall the operating system as a first move.
  • You can postpone deep troubleshooting (factory reset, replacing parts) until you’ve confirmed whether the time keeps drifting after normal restarts.

Important reassurance

This is a common failure mode: secure sites rely on accurate time to validate security certificates. Slowing down and fixing the clock first is the safest move.

Scope note

These are first steps to restore safe access and prevent credential loss. If the clock keeps resetting, you may need device support/repair or IT admin help to permanently fix time sync or hardware issues.

Important note

This is general information, not professional IT or legal advice. If you think an account was accessed, prioritise protecting money and identity: use official support channels you already trust, change passwords only after the device clock is correct, and consider using a different known-good device for account recovery.

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