Surface Pro 3: Internal clock stops when the battery dies

Anonymous
2014-08-16T13:54:40+00:00

Is there a separate internal battery for the internal clock in the SP3 running Windows 8.1? When the unit runs out of battery power and I don't notice (for example, the battery completely drains while in standby) when I plug the unit back in the clock still reads from when I last used it rather than the current time.

Is that normal?

Thanks!

Carlos

Surface | Surface Pro | Power and battery

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Anonymous
2014-08-21T00:05:49+00:00

Hi Carlos & Woodg,

I appreciate your comments and I can certainly understand the confusion. Please let me clarify my previous comment:

The Surface Pro 3 includes built-in functionality to prevent incorrect system times when the main battery is depleted.  If the troubleshooting I provided on Aug 16, 2014 fails to address the system time inconsistencies, please reach out to our Surface Assisted Support.

Any other questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to visit the Community!

Best Wishes,

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Anonymous
2014-08-17T02:45:05+00:00

Hi Carlos,

On behalf of the Microsoft Community, we thank you for taking the time to reach out and consult this issue. I gather from your post that after an unexpected shutdown the clock on your Surface Pro 3 won’t update automatically as it should. This is indeed irregular behavior, and as such, I understand your concern. I will do my best to help and clarify your doubts!

Please check the following:

  • Do you have all and latest Windows updates installed? This is very important, Please verify you do.
  • Does a full shut down and start allow the clock to return to accurate local time?  Have you tried adjusting the time manually?
  • What happens if you do not set the time to set automatically?  Does your manual correction of the time stay set?
  • Swipe for Charms> Settings> Change PC settings> Time and language> Date and time> Set time automatically> Off
  • Do you use any other Windows 8.x devices with the Microsoft account associated to Surface?
  • Try un-syncing the OneDrive settings: Swipe for Charms> Settings> Change PC settings> OneDrive> Sync settings> Sync your settings on this PC> Off

Additionally, please make sure that you have checked the box next to: "Synchronize with an Internet time server". Here is how:

  1. From the Desktop menu select the time and date at the bottom right corner.
  2. Tap on Change date and time settings...
  3. Select the "Internet Time" tab.
  4. Select Change Settings.
  5. Check the box next to "Synchronize with an Internet time server".
  6. Select Update now.
  7. Then select OK and OK.
  8. You can also try a different server by synchronizing it with the time.nist.gov server (instead of time.windows.com) and then select****Update now.
  • As a last step, try holding down the "Volume UP" and the "Power Button" at the same time for about 15 to 20 seconds.  It should do a reboot and if no activity, release and 'click' the power button one time.

If the issue persists after the previous steps, please consider performing a Refresh as shown in the article below:

We hope these steps prove useful! Keep us posted!

We are always here to help!

Best Wishes,

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-06-17T19:33:48+00:00

    As noted above, tech support had me do a "refresh" which was basically a factory reset and it changed the characteristics of my time issue, but did not solve it (And I had to re-install everything I had just set-up). On day 7, I contacted tech support a 2nd time and they walked me through doing a "2 button reset" (volume up and power).  This didn't help at all.  I also tried scheduling a task, which didn't work.  On day 8, I boxed up my Surface Pro 3 and returned it to Costco, where they exchanged it for a new one, very hassle-free.  So, my current Surface Pro 3 is on day 18 with no issues at all.  Right out of the box the time was correct, not so with the returned unit... I wonder if that's an early indicator?

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-06-17T19:25:44+00:00

    It is the same with mine, only if you have connected the power then the clock run and will not stop. I hope for a fix with Windows 10. No of the tips here fix it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-06-17T19:13:35+00:00

    I have a 7 day old Surface 3 i5 and I noticed it lost time the first time after sleeping.  Now if it sleeps for more than a couple of hours it loses time - the clock is currently nearly 2 days behind!  I have the latest updates and firmware, I have tried the 'fixes' in this thread to no avail (except from the scheduled task - which is a work around, not a fix, but may be the last resort). I wonder if I'm going to have to contact support and maybe see if they will replace it.  Just after I've finished installing and setting everything up on it <sigh>...

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