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Configuring time synchronization (NTP) for FRITZ!Box and network devices

In FRITZ!Box you can specify an NTP (Network Time Protocol) time server on the Internet with which the FRITZ!Box synchronizes its time. In addition, the FRITZ!Box itself provides a time server from which your computer and other devices in the home network can obtain the exact time.

Requirements / Restrictions

  • The FRITZ!Box cannot be used as a time server when it is used as a Mesh Repeater or in IP client mode. In this case, configure the time server in your router; no settings are necessary in the FRITZ!Box.

Note:All instructions on configuration and settings given in this guide refer to the latest FRITZ!OS for the FRITZ!Box.

1 Configuring the FRITZ!Box

Setting the country of use

The FRITZ!Box automatically sets the times based on the country of use that is configured.

  1. Click "System" in the FRITZ!Box user interface.
  2. Click "Region and Language" in the "System" menu.
  3. Click on the "Region" tab.
  4. Select your country from the drop-down list. If your country is not displayed, select "Other country".

    Important:When the regional options are changed, the telephone settings (for example telephony devices, call diversion settings, dialing rules) are reset and must be reconfigured.

  5. Click "Apply" to save the settings.

Setting the time zone

The following step is only necessary if "Other country" is configured as the country of use in the FRITZ!Box or you are using the FRITZ!Box in a time zone that differs from the configured country of use (for example in the Azores or Canary Islands):

  1. Click "System" in the FRITZ!Box user interface.
  2. Click "Region and Language" in the "System" menu.
  3. Click on the "Time Zone" tab.
  4. Enable the "Set the time zone manually" option.
  5. From the drop-down list, select the difference between your time zone and GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) in hours.

    Example:
    You are using your FRITZ!Box in the Azores (Portugal). Select "GMT -1 hour" from the drop-down list to manually set the time zone in the FRITZ!Box..

  6. If you are using the FRITZ!Box in a region with daylight savings time, enable the option "adjust to daylight savings time automatically" during daylight saving time. When standard time begins, you must disable the option again.
  7. Click "Apply" to save the settings.

Setting up the time server

The FRITZ!Box is already configured for use as a time server in the factory settings. If you adjusted the FRITZ!Box's settings, re-enter a valid time server:

Important:If you are using the FRITZ!Box with an internet connection from NetCologne, enter ntp.netcologne.de as the time server since NetCologne only allows time synchronization via this time server.

  1. Click "Home Network" in the FRITZ!Box user interface.
  2. Click "Network" in the "Home Network" menu.
  3. Click on the "Network Settings" tab.
  4. Click "Additional Settings" in the section "WAN setting" or "LAN Settings" to display all of the settings.
  5. In the "Time Synchronization" section, enter the NTP time server on the internet that the FRITZ!Box should synchronize its time with.

    Note:Normally it is not necessary to change the preconfigured NTP time server 2.europe.pool.ntp.org. Alternative NTP time servers can be found here.

  6. Enable the option "Make FRITZ!Box available as a time server in the home network".
  7. Click "Apply" to save the settings.

2 Configuring a device to synchronize its time with the FRITZ!Box

Windows 11

  1. Click (Start) and then (Settings) in the Windows task bar.
  2. Click "Time & language" in the "Settings" menu.
  3. Click "Date and Time".
  4. Click "Additional clocks" in the section "Related links".
  5. Click on the "Internet Time" tab in the "Date and Time" window, and then click "Change settings...".
  6. Enter fritz.box in the "Server" field in the "Internet Time Settings" window.
  7. Click "OK" to save the settings.

Windows 10

  1. Click (Start) and then (Settings) in the Windows task bar.
  2. Click "Time & language" in the "Settings" menu.
  3. Click "Add clocks for different time zones" in the section "Related settings".
  4. Click on the "Internet Time" tab in the "Date and Time" window, and then click "Change settings...".
  5. Enter fritz.box in the "Server" field in the "Internet Time Settings" window.
  6. Click "OK" to save the settings.

macOS

  1. Open the "System Preferences" in the Apple menu.
  2. Click "Date & Time" in the "System Preferences" menu.
  3. Enable the option "Set date and time automatically" and enter fritz.box in the field.

Linux and other devices (for example NAS systems)

  1. Configure the device to synchronize its time with the NTP time server "fritz.box". Refer to the manufacturer for information on how to set it up, for example consult the manual.