The easiest way to change the time zone of your VPS is QuantVPS Detect+ in your dashboard: it changes it for you and keeps it after restarts. You can also change the date, time and time zone in Windows (see the manual method below).
Keep automatic time sync enabled. An inaccurate system clock is one of the most common causes of trading platform login failures (NinjaTrader, Rithmic, Tradovate, and others use time-sensitive authentication). Don't turn off internet time sync to "fix" the clock. Leave it on and use Sync now if the time ever drifts.
Change the Time Zone with QuantVPS Detect+ (Recommended)
Step 1: Open the Time Zone Panel
Sign in to your QuantVPS dashboard and choose your VPS in the Selected server menu at the top.
Click Detect+ in the sidebar, then click Settings and General.
Find Time zone. It shows the time zone your VPS uses now. Click Change.
Step 2: Choose a Time Zone
Search by city, country or abbreviation, or scroll the list. Each time zone shows its offset from UTC, and the one your VPS uses now is marked In use.
Select a time zone and click Change time zone.
The VPS changes its time zone without a restart, and Detect+ tells you when it is done. Programs that are open keep the old time until you restart them. Trading platforms such as NinjaTrader also have their own time zone setting.
Detect+ keeps this time zone after restarts and reinstalls. If your time zone is not in the list, set it in Windows with the manual method below; Detect+ keeps that one after restarts too.
If You Do Not See Detect+
Detect+ appears in your dashboard once it is turned on for your VPS. If you do not see it, open a support ticket and we'll turn it on for you, or use the manual steps below.
Manual Method: Windows Date and Time Settings
Use these steps to correct the date and time, or to change the time zone on a VPS without Detect+.
Without Detect+, the time zone goes back to Central Time (Chicago) when the VPS restarts. Our VPS setup sets Central Time at startup, so a time zone you change in Windows lasts only until the next restart. Detect+ keeps your choice instead.
Step 1: Login to Your VPS
Use Remote Desktop Connection (RDP) to log into your VPS.
The IP address copy button in QuantVPS Connection Credentials
Enter your IP address, username and password from your QuantVPS dashboard (Control Panel).
Step 2: Open the Date and Time Settings
Press Start, then type Date and Time and press Enter.
Or go to:
Control Panel → Clock and Region → Date and Time
Step 3: Click "Change Date and Time"
Under the Date and Time tab, click the Change date and time… button.
If prompted for administrator permission, click Yes.
Step 4: Adjust the Time and Date
Set the correct date and time.
Click OK to apply the changes.
Step 5: (Optional) Change the Time Zone
Still under the Date and Time tab, click Change time zone…
Select the appropriate time zone for your trading or application needs.
Click OK to confirm.
Step 6: If the Time Keeps Drifting
Don't disable internet time sync. That will make drift worse over time, not better. Instead:
Go to the Internet Time tab and confirm Synchronize with an Internet time server is checked.
Click Change settings… → Update now to force an immediate resync.
Troubleshooting Tips
If the time zone goes back to Central Time after a restart, your VPS does not have Detect+ yet. Open a support ticket and we'll turn it on for you, then change the time zone in Detect+.
If the time itself is wrong after a restart, confirm automatic time sync is still enabled and click Update now in the Internet Time settings.
For latency-sensitive trading apps, an inaccurate clock can trigger login/logon failures even if your network connection is fine. If you see login errors, check the clock before troubleshooting the network.
Need Assistance?
Our support team is available 24/7. If you have any questions or run into issues, open a support ticket from your QuantVPS dashboard and we'll get back to you as quickly as possible.