Month: December 2021

Windows “Sync now” failing

This is in the “Synchonize your clock” under the Date & Time settings of Windows 10. The button “Sync now” lets me update my date and time according to the time server that is time.windows.com. This fails for no apparent reason.

Error message I have is “Time synchronization failed” in red text on top of the button.

I’ve done this before successfully.

ANSWER

These are the things that you can do.

First thing is to check your Internet settings. The snc requires that you are connected.

Second, if you are using a firewall program other than the stock Windows one, be sure that it is not blocking with the sync server. Allow it in the firewall. Temporarily disablng it is another way if you don’t want to add another rule.

The default Windows firewall that comes in every Windows 10 should not be interfering with the sync. Check to make sure anyway by searching for Windows Defender Firewall from the Start Menu. Go to Advanced Settings link found at the left-hand side of the firewall window. The Windows time syncing is set on port 123 as UDP protocol that connects to time.windows.com.

Next, check on the time service. Hit Windows + R key combo. A small appears. Type after Open – services.msc – then press OK. This runs the Services tool and a window will appear after. There is a long list in alphabetical order. Scroll all the way down to the Windows Time service.

First off the service should be running. If not, check the Startup Type is Automatic. If not, correct that type so it should be so it starts automatically. Then proceed to Start the service. If it is already running, press the Stop button and wait for it to finish. Then Start it again shortly afterwards.

Check if time can be sync successfully now.

There are other things that can be done, such as pointing to another time server that is not controlled by Microsoft. I won’t normally do this, but it can be done with some extra steps in configuration which I won’t tackle here.

Google Search keeps saying “Mobile data is off”

I have Wifi and 4G data turned on but Google search returns with a message that says –
“Mobile data is off: No data connection. Consider turning on mobile data or turning on Wi-Fi”.

There is working Internet connection because I can search directly from the browser, other apps can connect or download. Only gets stuck with that message using Google Search app on Android.

ANSWER

When this happens, there are a few things that can help fix this issue.

First, is to restart the Android phone.

If restarting does not fix it, then the second thing is to turn on Airplane Mode. Wait a few seconds before turning it off.

However, if after doing either of the above, or both, that still doesn’t fix Google app from being able to connect to the Internet properly then the last resort is to clear its data and cache.

Go to Settings > Apps > Google.

What you need to look for is Storage related. There should be a Manage Storage > Clear All Data setting, and Clear Cache setting. These are separate buttons. Proceed by deleting cache first, then data. Clearing of cache and data only affects the device you are on. Google has most, if not all, of that information on their servers anyway. You won’t really lose anything. The app will sync back as soon as it’s connected.

Once done try using Google app again and search for something.

Should all else fail, reinstall the Google app. Chances are your Android won’t have permission to uninstall the app itself, only to rollback to previous versions, although there is an uninstall button in Google Play Store for said app. Do it anyway. Then update the app. If the phone is rooted, you just might be able to do a complete uninstall/install.