FIXED: Windows 11 Time Zone Greyed Out [2023]

• The error may arise due to corrupt files, inaccurate system settings, disabled location services, and more.
• Power cycle the computer, update Windows, allow location access, and repair system files to solve the issue.
• Be careful when tackling Registry Editor and UAC settings. If it goes wrong, the system may malfunction.

Causes For Windows 11 Time Zone Greying Out

Some factors that can contribute to this error are;

• Corrupt cache or faulty data.
• Incorrect computer configurations.
• Corrupt user profile.
• Denied location access.
• Restrictive Group Policies.
• Inaccurate Registry settings.
• Hindrance from third-party software.
• Outdated Windows.
• Presence of malware or virus.
• Corrupt system files.

Also Read: How To Fix Windows Update Error 0x800f0922

How To Fix Windows 11 Time Zone Greyed Out?

We tested multiple ways to fix the time zone greying out problem in Windows 11. However, try power cycling the PC before moving to other fixes since a corrupt temporary cache and data are known to interrupt the computer’s performance.

Here’s a list of methods that can help fix the issue:

1. Allow Location Access
2. Use The Windows Registry Editor
3. Resort To Local Group Policy
4. Scan For Malware Or Virus
5. Try Clean Boot
6. Fix System Files Using SFC And DISM Scans
7. Install Windows Updates
8. Use An Alternate User Profile
9. Restart Time Services
10. Enable Automatic Time Zone Selection
11. Disable UAC

Allow Location Access

It is necessary to give your computer permission to track your location for better performance and uninterrupted usability of its features.

Enable apps and Windows to access your physical location:

1. Launch the “Settings” on your Windows 11 PC by clicking on the “Windows” icon on the “Taskbar.”

   

2. Move to “Privacy And Security” on the left pane.
3. Find the “App Permission” section and click on “Location.”

   

4. Turn on “Location Services” and “Let Apps Access Your Location” features via the toggle switch.

   

5. Restart the computer.

Also Read: Windows Error 0X80072F8F-0X20000 

Use The Windows Registry Editor

You can use the Registry Editor to automatically set the time and date settings on your computer based on the current location data. On the other hand, be vigilant while performing this fix since any incorrect configuration can lead to system malfunction. 

Carefully follow each step to avoid any mishaps:

1. On your keyboard, simultaneously press the “Windows+R” keys. It will launch a “Run” box.
2. Type “regedit” and proceed with the search.

   

3. Click “Yes” to allow the necessary permissions.
4. You should be on the “Registry Editor” screen now.
5. Enter the address in the search bar: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\tzautoupdate
6. Find “Start” and double-click on it.

   

7. Change the “Value Data” to “3.”

   

8. Next, verify if the computer is allowed to access your current location.
9. Go to the search bar and write Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CapabilityAccessManager\ConsentStore\location
10. Double-click “Value.”

    

11. Set it to “Allow.”
12. Hit “OK.”

    

13. Your timezone settings must be updated now.

Resort To Local Group Policy

We also checked if the Local Group Policies are hindering our computer’s time zone settings. Set the location-related settings to “Not Configured” or” Disabled.”

Here is the complete method for this fix:

1. Again, open the “Run” box, but this time, search for “gpedit.msc.”

   

2. Go to “Computer Configuration” on this window.
3. Select “Administrative Templates.”
4. Next, pick “Windows Components.”
    

   

5. Choose “Location And Sensors.”
6. Find and select “Windows Location Provider.”

   

7. Double-click on “Turn Off Windows Location Provider.”

   

8. Modify to “Not Configured” by marking the circle beside it.
9. Press “Apply” and then “OK.”

   

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Scan For Malware Or Virus

In case your system is affected by malware or viruses, they may be affecting the time-related settings on your PC. Therefore, run a scan for malware or viruses using Microsoft Defender Offline or other third-party apps, like Avast or McAfee.

Try Clean Boot

Starting the computer in “Clean Boot” only loads the essential drivers and software required for the flawless running of Windows 11. Hence, you can rule out the third-party apps if the issue resides within them.

Run the computer in Clean Boot using the steps below:

1. Write “msconfig” in the “Run” menu and search for it.
2. Navigate to the “Services” tab in this pop-up.
3. Put a tick on the box next to “Hide All Microsoft Services.”
4. Click the “Disable All” button.

   

5. “Apply” the settings.
6. Pick “Restart” in the dialog box.

   

Fix System Files Using SFC And DISM Scans

Scanning and repairing corrupt files is another helpful method for quickly fixing this time zone issue. System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing And Management are two scans you can rely on. Other than that, find out why your computer won’t connect to the internet but others will. 

Use the following codes to repair system files:

1. Execute “cmd” in the “Run” box to get to the “Command Prompt.”
2. Choose “Yes” to give the required permissions.
3. Now, run each of these commands one by one to complete the SFC scans:
   SFC/scannow
   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
   
4. Restart the PC once the process is finished.

Install Windows Updates

Check if any updates need to be installed on your Windows 11 computer. If yes, download and install them as soon as possible to update the Windows.

Use An Alternate User Profile

When the time zone option was not working, we created an alternative user profile on our Windows and logged in to the system using it. We found that the time zone feature worked fine this time, and the problem existed in the prior user profile. 

Restart Time Services

Another solution that worked for us was changing the Startup Type to “Automatic” for the “Windows Time” service so it can launch automatically once the computer boots up.

Carry out this fix with the instructions below:

1. Execute “services.msc” in the “Run” box.
2. Find the “Windows Time” service in the list. Double-click on it.

   

3. Set the “Startup Type” as “Automatic.”
4. Hit “Apply” followed by “OK.”

   

5. Restart the service once done.

   

Also Read: How To Fix Audio Renderer Error: Please Your Restart Computer

Enable Automatic Time Zone Selection

Let Windows automatically fetch the correct time zone so you do not have to adjust the settings manually. You can access this option in the computer’s “Settings.”

This is how you can turn on the automatic time zone feature:

1. Head to the “Settings.”
2. Open the “Time And Language” tab from the left bar.
3. Select “Date And Time.”
4. Enable the options “Set Time Automatically” and “Set Time Zone Automatically” using the respective toggle switches. 

   

   Important: If either of these options is greyed out, turn on “Location Services” on your computer.

Disable UAC

Turning off User Account Control (UAC) protects your computer from threats and malware. However, you might want to disable it temporarily as a troubleshooting step for the “Windows 11 time zone greyed out” error. 

Only proceed with the instructions if other solutions fail:

1. Write “Control Panel” in the “Search” menu and click on the results.

   

2. Choose “System And Security.”

   

3. Proceed to “Security And Maintenance.”

   

4. Notice the option to “Change User Account Control Settings” on the left pane of this screen. Click on it.

   

5. Drag the switch to the extreme bottom of the bar to disable UAC.
6. Press “OK.”

   

Also Read: Computer Randomly Tabs Out

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