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

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Set the device date, time and time zone correctly, preferably using automatic time, then restart the browser and try again. Do not bypass certificate or “connection not private” warnings while the clock is wrong.

Do not do these things

  • Do not click through certificate, “your connection is not private”, or “secure connection failed” warnings just to get in.
  • Do not enter passwords, card details, one-time codes, or recovery codes on any page showing a security warning.
  • Do not install “certificate fix” apps, browser extensions, or security updates offered by pop-ups.
  • Do not change many security settings at once. Avoid changing VPN, proxy, web protection, antivirus, and browser certificate settings together.
  • Do not use links from pop-ups, warning pages, or suspicious messages to reach banking, email, work, HMRC, or GOV.UK services.

What to do now

  1. Pause anything sensitive. If you were trying to sign in to banking, email, work, HMRC, GOV.UK, shopping, or cloud storage, stop until the clock and the browser warning are fixed.

  2. Set the clock to automatic time and check the time zone.

    • Windows: Settings → Time & language → Date & time → turn Set time automatically on. Turn Set time zone automatically on if available, or choose the correct UK time zone. Use Sync now if it is shown.
    • Mac: System Settings → General → Date & Time → turn on Set time and date automatically and Set time zone automatically using your current location if available.
    • iPhone or iPad: Settings → General → Date & Time → turn on Set Automatically. If it is greyed out, check whether Screen Time, a work profile, or network restrictions are controlling it.
    • Android: Settings → Date & time, or System → Date & time → turn on automatic date, time, and time zone settings. Wording varies by device.

  3. Restart the browser. Fully close and reopen the browser. If the warning is still there, restart the device.

  4. Try one known safe site by typing the address yourself. Use a familiar address rather than a link from an email, text, advert, or pop-up. If the warning remains, stop before entering any details.

  5. Check whether it is only one network. Try mobile data, a mobile hotspot, or another trusted Wi-Fi connection. If secure sites work elsewhere, the original Wi-Fi, router, captive portal, or network filtering may be involved.

  6. Change only one security setting at a time. If you use a VPN, proxy, web-filtering tool, antivirus HTTPS scanning, or a work security product that you control, turn off one item briefly, test, then turn it back on if it does not help. If it is a work or school device, ask IT before changing managed settings.

  7. Update the browser and operating system if you can do that safely. A very outdated browser or operating system may still fail on some secure websites even after the time is corrected.

  8. If the clock resets again after a normal restart, use another trusted device for urgent accounts. A clock that repeatedly loses the date or time may point to a failing internal clock battery, firmware issue, power problem, or managed-device setting. Avoid account recovery or banking on the unreliable device until it is stable.

  9. If you entered details during a warning, act from a trusted device. Change the affected password, sign out of other sessions where the service allows it, and contact the bank, card provider, workplace, email provider, or account support route involved. Use the app, saved bookmark, card number, or official website address you already trust.

  10. Report suspicious messages or losses through UK routes.

    • Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
    • Forward suspicious texts to 7726.
    • If money was lost, an account was accessed, or you responded to a scam, use Report Fraud if you are in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
    • If you are in Scotland, contact Police Scotland for reporting guidance.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide now whether the cause is malware, hardware, Wi-Fi, the browser, or an update problem.
  • You do not need to reinstall the operating system as a first step.
  • You can postpone deeper troubleshooting, factory reset, part replacement, and long device-repair decisions until you know whether the clock stays correct after normal restarts.
  • You can leave non-urgent browsing, shopping, and account changes until secure websites load without warnings.

Important reassurance

This can happen when secure websites cannot check certificates against the correct date and time. Fixing the clock first is a calm, sensible step and often resolves the immediate problem.

Scope note

These are first steps to restore safer access and reduce the chance of credential loss. Later decisions may need specialist device support, workplace IT help, bank support, or fraud-reporting help depending on what happened.

Important note

This is general information, not professional IT, legal, financial, cyber-security, or repair advice. For urgent account, money, work-device, or identity concerns, use official support routes from a trusted device.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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