Login Timestamp Error or Bad Timestamp Error on a Company Laptop (Quick Fix)

Login Timestamp Error or Bad Timestamp Error on a Company Laptop

One user's company laptop was showing a Login Timestamp Error or Bad Timestamp Error (40105) while trying to log in.
This type of error usually occurs because your computer's date and time are out of sync with the company's security server.
It commonly happens when the laptop has been disconnected from the company network or VPN for a long time.

Why Does This Error Occur?

The company's authentication servers verify your system time before allowing access.

If your laptop's clock is incorrect, the authentication request may fail and display a Bad Timestamp or Timestamp Error (40105).

Quick Fix 1: Restart the Windows Time Service

If you're able to log in to Windows, follow these steps:

• Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
• Locate Windows Time.
• Right-click it and select Start or Restart.

This will restart the Windows Time service and may synchronize the system clock.

Quick Fix 2: Correct the Date and Time from BIOS (UEFI)

If Windows time is incorrect and you cannot sync it, you can manually update the date and time from the BIOS.

Steps:

• Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI by pressing the manufacturer-specific key (usually F2, F10, F12, Esc, or Del).
• Navigate to the Main, System Configuration, or Miscellaneous Settings section.
• Locate Date & Time.
• Update the correct date and time.
• Press F10 to save the changes and restart the laptop.

Note: Most BIOS/UEFI firmware allows you to set the date and time manually, but it does not automatically synchronize with internet time servers.

How Time Synchronization Actually Works

The actual time synchronization happens inside the Windows operating system, not in the BIOS.

After Windows starts and the device has network connectivity, it synchronizes the system clock using Network Time Protocol (NTP).

NTP uses UDP Port 123 for both client requests and server responses, making it the standard protocol for time synchronization across networks.

Conclusion

A Login Timestamp Error or Bad Timestamp Error (40105) is usually caused by an incorrect system clock rather than an account issue.

In most cases, restarting the Windows Time service or correcting the BIOS date and time resolves the problem. Once the system time matches the company's authentication server, the user should be able to log in successfully.

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