To fix “Time of day not set, please run setup program” on a Dell computer, restart, repeatedly press F2 at the Dell logo, and correct and save the date and time in BIOS Setup. On Dell desktops with this menu layout, open General > Date/Time, enter the correct values, select Apply, then select Exit.
If the warning returns after shutdown, check the computer’s clock power supply before moving on to BIOS resets or updates. Battery replacement and reset procedures depend on your exact Dell model. The Windows steps below use Windows 11 menus.
The short version
- Start with the clock: Press F2 at the Dell logo and correct the BIOS date and time.
- Watch for a repeat: Losing the date again after shutdown points toward a clock power retention problem.
- Match your model: Check the service manual before replacing a battery or performing an RTC reset.
- Finish in Windows: Correct the Windows clock after resolving the firmware warning.
| Action | When to use it | Main catch |
|---|---|---|
| Correct the BIOS clock | First response to the warning | Menu location varies by model |
| Reconnect laptop AC power | Warning after prolonged storage | Applies to laptops with Storage Mode |
| Replace a desktop clock battery | Date repeatedly resets after shutdown | Use the battery specified in the service manual |
| Replace a laptop clock battery | Recurring date loss on a model with a replaceable coin-cell | Check the exact model’s battery arrangement |
| Restore BIOS defaults | Clock correction alone fails | Custom BIOS settings are reset |
| Install a downloaded BIOS update | Persistent warning after initial fixes | Requires the exact model’s package |
| Update through SupportAssist | Supported PC with an applicable BIOS update | Follow the displayed installation instructions |
| Apply the model-specific BIOS fix | Both warnings after a BIOS reset on the listed models | Requires defaults, Secure Boot and BIOS 2.12.2 or later |
| Perform a laptop RTC reset | Associated startup failures on a supported laptop | Can reset settings and unprovision Intel vPro |
| Perform a desktop RTC reset | Associated startup failures on a supported desktop | Follow the model’s power connection instructions |
| Correct Windows time | Firmware is fixed but Windows time is wrong | Does not repair lost RTC power |
| Run preboot diagnostics | Warning survives applicable fixes | Record reported hardware errors |
| Seek hardware service | Persistent errors or unsuitable battery self-service | Repair eligibility depends on device and coverage |
Correct the date and time in BIOS Setup
Restart your Dell and repeatedly press F2 when the Dell logo appears. On Dell desktops with this menu layout, open General > Date/Time, correct both values, select Apply, and select Exit. Start the computer again to check whether the warning has cleared.
Menu placement differs between models, so match the controls to your computer. On the Dell Pro 14 PC14255, open Integrated Devices > Date/Time instead. That model uses MM/DD/YYYY for the date and supports both 12-hour and 24-hour time.
If F2 does not open setup, try Fn + F2 on a compatible keyboard. Alternatively, tap F12 at the Dell logo, select BIOS Setup or System Setup, and press Enter. These are alternative ways to get to BIOS on a Windows PC, where you can correct the firmware clock.
With Windows working, you can also access the Windows Recovery Environment to enter firmware setup. On Windows 11, open Settings > System > Recovery, select Restart now under Advanced startup, and select Restart now again. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart. This route requires firmware handover support and a working recovery environment; use the startup keys if it is unavailable.
Reconnect power after laptop storage
Applicable Dell laptops and mobile workstations manufactured since 2014 can enter battery Storage Mode after an extended period powered off. If the warning appears after storage, connect the AC adapter to wake the battery, then start the computer. This behavior depends on the model’s battery design.
Press F2 at startup and correct the date and time again. Restore any required custom BIOS settings that were lost. For future extended storage, periodically power on the laptop and connect AC power; if the warning keeps returning during normal use, continue with the battery checks.
Check the clock battery when the date keeps resetting
A date that becomes incorrect again after shutdown points toward a clock power retention problem. On a Dell desktop with a replaceable coin-cell battery, a depleted battery is a reason to replace it. Check the exact model’s service instructions before buying a replacement, because the specified battery and access procedure matter.
Removing the clock battery can clear the BIOS date, time, and custom settings. Shut down the desktop, disconnect power, and hold Power for 10 to 15 seconds. Identify the computer in Dell Manuals, open Documentation > Manuals and Documents, and select View PDF for its User Guide or Service Manual.
Follow the manual’s coin-cell removal and installation procedure, including its disassembly and polarity instructions. Many Dell desktops use a CR2032, but use the type specified for your model. Reassemble the computer before reconnecting power, then enter BIOS Setup and correct the clock.
For a laptop, first open your exact model’s service documentation and press Ctrl + F to search for “CMOS battery” and “coin-cell battery.” When the manual specifies a separate replaceable battery, follow its power-disconnection, removal, and installation instructions, preserving the specified type and orientation. Removing it can clear the BIOS date, time, and custom settings, so expect to restore those afterward.
After reassembling the laptop, correct the BIOS date and time again. If your model’s battery arrangement differs, or you are not comfortable opening the computer, contact Dell support for the appropriate next step. A warning that persists after the applicable battery replacement needs further troubleshooting.
Restore BIOS defaults if clock correction fails
Restoring BIOS defaults clears custom BIOS settings and can change the storage and boot configuration needed to start Windows. Use this as a secondary fix when correcting the clock alone has not resolved the warning. You will need to restore the required boot settings afterward.
Restart and press F2 to enter setup. Select Load Defaults or Restore Settings, depending on the interface, choose BIOS Defaults, and select OK. Read each displayed warning and select OK to proceed.
Correct the date and time, restore the required boot settings, and select Exit. On a keyboard-driven interface, press Enter to activate selections and choose Yes when prompted to exit. If your interface differs, follow your model’s manual; if the warning returns, continue with the applicable BIOS update.
Install the BIOS update for your exact Dell model
A BIOS update replaces the installed firmware and is another secondary fix for a persistent time warning. Before starting, follow the package prerequisites, maintain stable power, and retain your BitLocker recovery key. Use the BIOS package for your exact computer and follow its installation instructions.
Open Dell Drivers & Downloads and identify your computer by Service Tag or model. Download the applicable BIOS installer, run it in Windows, and complete its model-specific prompts and restart. Keep power stable throughout the update.
If your supported Dell PC has the matching SupportAssist interface, open SupportAssist > Home > Update software and select Start. Install the applicable BIOS update using the displayed instructions. If that route does not match your PC, use the exact model’s download and installation instructions.
Dell specifies a separate fix for the Inspiron 14 5441, Inspiron 14 Plus 7441, Latitude 5455, and Latitude 7455 when both time-of-day and invalid-configuration warnings appear after a BIOS reset. For those models under that condition, restore defaults, enable Secure Boot, and install BIOS 2.12.2 or later using the following sequence.
Loading defaults clears custom BIOS settings and can change the required boot configuration. Connect AC power, start the affected model, and press F2. Select LOAD DEFAULTS, select OK in Restore Settings, then select OK in Warning.
After the restart, press F2 again and open Boot Configuration to enable Secure Boot on your PC. Turn on Secure Boot, select APPLY CHANGES, and select OK in Apply Settings Confirmation. Install BIOS 2.12.2 or later for that exact model.
Use an RTC reset only for associated startup failures
An RTC reset clears the clock and BIOS settings, can change storage and boot settings, and can itself produce the time warning. On supported laptops, it can also unprovision Intel vPro. Reserve this procedure for associated startup failures on models that support it, and check your exact model’s instructions first.
On a supported Dell laptop, shut down and connect the AC adapter. Hold Power for approximately 30 to 35 seconds until the power LED flashes three times, then release it. Allow the restart cycles to finish, enter BIOS Setup, and restore the date, time, and previous storage and boot settings.
Disconnecting AC power, holding Power for less than 25 seconds, or holding it for more than 40 seconds aborts the laptop reset. If the procedure does not complete, check the timing and model compatibility before trying again.
On certain Latitude and Precision models with the applicable BIOS change, Dell disables manual RTC reset when a BIOS administrator password is configured. If your managed computer ignores the sequence, involve its BIOS administrator.
For a supported Dell desktop, maintain the power connection specified by its exact model manual. Hold Power for 30 seconds, release it, and wait 2 to 5 minutes for recovery. If the time warning appears afterward, press F2, correct the clock, select Exit, and save the changes.
Correct the Windows clock afterward
Once the firmware warning is resolved, check the time shown in Windows. On Windows 11, open Start > Settings > Time & language > Date & time and turn on Set time automatically. With internet access and the synchronization control present, select Sync now.
For manual correction, turn off Set time automatically and select Change beside Set the date and time. Enter the correct Date and Time, then select Change. If the time zone is wrong, turn on Set time zone automatically, or turn it off and choose Time zone manually.
These settings correct the Windows clock after the firmware issue has been addressed. They do not repair lost RTC power. If the startup warning returns, continue troubleshooting the BIOS clock and its power supply.
Run diagnostics if the warning persists
Restart, press F12 at the Dell logo, and select Diagnostics on a Dell with built-in preboot diagnostics. Record any reported hardware error for support. Diagnostics can help identify a hardware problem, but running them is not an automatic clock repair.
Contact Dell Technical Support if the error survives clock correction, applicable battery replacement, and BIOS troubleshooting. You can also seek service earlier when battery replacement is unsuitable for you to perform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does pressing F1 fix the time of day warning?
Pressing F1 or selecting Continue may bypass the warning temporarily. It does not repair the cause, so the warning can return.
Can you enter BIOS Setup from the Windows sign-in screen?
On supported Dell Windows systems, hold Shift while selecting Restart at sign-in. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart to enter firmware setup.
How do you open BIOS Setup on a Dell tablet without a keyboard?
On applicable Dell tablets and 2-in-1 models, power off and undock, hold Volume up, then press and release Power. Keep holding Volume up until the menu opens and select BIOS Setup. Some models require Volume down instead, so follow the exact model’s manual.
Can you update the BIOS if Windows will not start?
Yes, on Dell models offering firmware file flashing; updating replaces the installed firmware, so first follow the package prerequisites, retain your BitLocker recovery key, and maintain stable power. Place the exact model’s BIOS package on FAT32 USB storage. Press F12 at startup, choose BIOS Update > Flash from file, select the package, and select Update BIOS. Complete the model-specific prompts.
Should you use Dell Update or Alienware Update for this fix?
Dell ended support for Dell Update and Alienware Update on December 31, 2024. Dell recommends SupportAssist as their replacement.