How to fix the Mac Error “your clock is ahead”?

Published & Fact Checked by
Published on: , Last Updated on July 22, 2023

Ai Disclaimer: We don't use AI for content or research. The contents is researched and written by our team.

» Home » Error Codes » Electronics Products » How to fix the Mac Error “your clock is ahead”?
Mac Error Your Clock Is Ahead

One error message which has been making quite a few rounds with Mac users for the past couple of weeks is the “your clock is ahead” message. And since you are already here reading the following article on, “How to fix the Mac Error your clock is ahead”?. I am guessing that you must have already been prompted with the following error message and need a solution ASAP.

Good news for you however, is that you have landed up in the right place. Here, we shall be discussing everything related to the following error message. From what causes the Mac Error “your clock is ahead”, to the different ways to fix the “your clock is ahead” message on your Mac devices, we shall try to look into it all.


What causes the “Your clock is ahead” on Mac?


Now, the following error message can show up on your Mac devices, due to a number of reasons. Some may be a little more serious or some may be quite simple and easy to deal with while trying to solve the problem. 

Below, I have listed some of the most common and widely seen causes responsible, which may be the case for you as well. 

  • When a website you are visiting is unsecured or not trusted. Then, such an error may show up preventing you from entering the website that may cause harm. In the process, the following error message may appear as a result. 
  • When you travel between different time zones, along with your Mac device. That is, your Mac system has traveled from one time zone to the other. And although, your Mac should automatically be able to change its clock according to the region or time zone. There may be times however, when it might not be able to and hence, give rise to such an error to occur. 
  • When your Mac system has been disconnected from the internet or has been kept shut off for a longer duration of time. Even then, such an error may come up. 
  • When your Mac system cannot reach Apple’s time server or there may be something wrong with Apple’s server. Usually, your system stays in sync with Apple’s server and that is from where it usually derives the time accurately. If there is something wrong with the communication or somehow Apple’s server itself is down. Then too, such an error may occur as well. 
  • When there is an issue with your Mac browser, due to too many cookies or cache being stored unnecessarily. Then in such cases too, such an error may occur quite often than you would have expected. 
  • When your Mac system is set to a specific time zone or region, such an error may occur as a result. Hence, in such cases it is advised that you always set the choice to change automatically whenever necessary.

Ways to fix the Mac Error “Your clock is ahead”


Now that you have seen some of the most common causes responsible for the particular error to occur. Next, let us have a look at the various ways with whose help you should be able to fix the error, pretty much on your own or visit the site of your choice as you desire. 

Fix 1: Clear your Mac’s Browser History

One of the easiest methods out there and probably the first one to try, would be to clear up your Mac’s Browser History. 

Depending upon which Internet browser you are using, the steps to cleaning up the browsing history may also differ. 

Hence, below I have listed some of the most popular browsers along with the step by step guide link to where you can find the steps to go on clearing the respective browser history. 

Once done with that, restart your Mac device and see if clearing up your browser histories helped resolve the issue.


Fix 2: Check and enable set date & time automatically option

Another way you can try out to solve the following error message, is to enable your Mac to update date and time automatically. 

In order to set the date and time to update automatically for your Mac device, you can follow the steps as mentioned below:

  • Here, it is important to note that you will need a proper internet connection before getting on with the steps.
  • Once, you are certain that you are connected to a network which is stable. Go to your Apple Menu on the top-left corner, and then click on the System Preferences option.
  • Under System Preferences, click on the Date & Time icon to open the Date and Time menu page.
  • If it is locked by chance, then you will need to unlock it first by clicking on the Padlock option button at the bottom-left corner of the pane. 
  • Then, enter your Admin password to unlock it.
  • Once unlocked, next if the Set date and time automatically option is not checkmarked. Then, click on the checkmark option to enable it and head to the Time Zone tab.
  • Under the Time Zone tab, check whether the Set time zone automatically using current location option is check marked or not. If not, then enable it by clicking on it. 
  • Once, you made sure both the options for the date and time, as well as the current location option has been enabled. Next, save the changes and restart your Mac.
  • After your Mac has successfully restarted, check to see if the error still persists.

Fix 3: Check and change Language and Region

If you have recently changed or moved to a different region or country. Then, such an error may also occur, if the language and region on your device has not been updated.

Hence, in order to change your Mac’s language and region. You can follow the steps as mentioned below:

  • Go to the System Preferences option as had been shown in the earlier section.
  • Then, go to and click on the Language & Region icon.
  • Under the Language & Region page too, if it is locked. Then, click on the Padlock button and unlock it to make the required changes to the settings. 
  • Click on the General tab and under the Region option, click on it and select the country you are currently stationed or have moved to. 
  • Save your changes, restart your system and check whether the error got resolved.

Fix 4: Manually set Date & Time

You can also try manually setting your Mac’s date and time. If for some reason, automatically setting your Date and Time is not helping solve the issue. Then, you can definitely try manually setting it to your desired settings. 

  • Go to the System Preferences option once again, and head to Date & Time.
  • Under the Date and Time page, click on and uncheck the check box for the Set date and time automatically option.
  • Then, click on the Time Zone tab, and click on the check box to disable the Set time zone automatically option.
  • Lastly, from the map given, find the closest time zone and select it. Save your changes and see if that helps resolve the issue.

Conclusion


Hence, in this way to fix the error “Your clock is ahead” on Mac, you can make use of the following steps such as: Clearing up Browser History, Enabling automatic date and time updates, Changing language and region and Manually setting date and time

However, if for some reason you are unable to get rid of the error and it still persists. Then, you can always try calling up or contacting Apple support for their assistance and help. Or even take your Mac to the nearest Apple store to get the problem resolved, if it is caused by something more critical and beyond your capacity to solve. 


Like This Post? Checkout More

Photo of author
Rishikesh Hazarika is a tech enthusiast who is always curious to learn and absorb facts and data in the world of science and technology as well as tries to share his opinion. He has an M.Tech degree from North-Eastern Hill University, later he did a certificate course in Computer Hardware and Software, and a certificate course in Introduction to Architectingc