Digital Alarm Clock Keeps Resetting the Time? Here’s What’s Wrong
- June 28, 2025
- 0
⏰ Introduction: When Time is a Slipping – Away A digital alarm clock should generally be one of the most consistent piece of technology in your home…until it
⏰ Introduction: When Time is a Slipping – Away
A digital alarm clock should generally be one of the most consistent piece of technology in your home…until it resets itself of its own accord. One minute it is 7:00 a.m., and the next thing you know it is flashing 12:00 again…
It is likely making you miss alarms, and I am sure you probably just want to stop having to reset your clock every day.
At Testergate we do more than just review products — we also troubleshoot them! In this introduction we will discuss the underlying factors to why digital alarm clocks keep resetting, step-by-step suggestions, and get your confidence back in your timekeeper without spending money on a new one!
🔍 The Most Common Reasons Your Digital Alarm Clock Keeps Resetting
Okay! Let’s first uncover the most common reasons for this persistent phenomenon:
⚠️ 1. Power interrupted (even the smallest brief interruption)
This fact is true for most digital clocks, if they are interrupted in power. Even brief interruptions will cause the clock to lose the time set. The clock will revert to its default clock time if there is not a backup battery, or if it has a dead backup battery.
Signs:
The screen flashes 12:00
⚠️ 2. Defective/Dead Backup Battery
Many clocks use either a coin cell battery or AA batteries as a memory or backup to retain settings when the power goes out.
If either of these circumstances occurs, the next power blip will reset the clock.
⚠️ 3. Loose Power Connection
A power source that is not firmly plugged in, a worn power cord, or a loose power outlet can cause intermittent power outages—even though other devices or lights do not lose power.
Signs to look for:
Flashing screen
Clock turns on and off at random times
Reset only occurs when clock is bumped, or moved
⚠️ 4. Overloaded Power Strip or Outlet
If your alarm clock is plugged into a power strip that is overloaded, the device may not receive the required electrical supply.
You might still have enough power for lights or devices, but not enough to retain your settings.
⚠️ 5. Internal Faults / Circuit Failure or Capacitor Failure
If the internal memory capacitor or timing chip of your clock has failed, the clock will either lose time or not retain settings during power fluctuations.
Signs that point to this cause:
The clock resets itself at all times, even when a backup battery is connected
It gains or loses time, by several minutes in a few hours
Alarms stop working arbitrarily, or trigger at the wrong time
⚠️ 6. Software Bug or Manufacturer Defect
Some less expensive or older clocks may still have bugs in their firmware, causing the settings to revert randomly—especially when power blips occur.
🛠️ Repairs: Step by Step to Correcting & Maintaining Your Clock Time
✅ 1. Check to see that you have a working back up battery
Action: Remove battery cover. Replace that battery with a fresh, copper top battery, generally a coin cell battery (CR2032) or AA.
Why: The backup battery is dead. Your clock is relying fully on wall power.
✅ 2. Check to see that power is consistent
Action: Use the clocks plug to connect your clock to an outlet you know is good, preferably a dedicated outlet, not one shared by any heavy consumption appliances such as microwave or heater.
Why: If there are any drops or calibrations in voltage by simple things like a heater, it can reset sensitive electronic devices (alarm clocks).
✅ 3. Try to use a surge protector with voltage stabilization
Action: Plug your clock into a surge protector, using one is best if it rated for low power electronics.
Why: Not only will it give protection to spikes of power, but the small brown outs that reset your clock.
✅ 4. Check the Power Supply and Change the Power Cord
Procedure: Examine the power supply and cord connections for kinks, cuts, or looseness. Change the power supply pad or cord if any signs of damage are present.
Why: A broken or damaged cord or connector would have the ability to give the appearance of momentary loss of power, while the electrical outlet remains stable.
✅ 5. Factory Reset or Reset Clock
Procedure: If applicable, factory reset the clock (usually involves end user pressing multiple buttons for more than 10 seconds). Then, reset the time and alarms per clock instructions.
Why: A factory reset may resolve problems related to minor firmware glitches that may cause memory storage or timekeeping errors.
✅ 6. Fix Clock Location
Procedure: Place the clock on flat, stable surface and away from heavy movements that may undermine the stability of the clock (a surface near washing machines, or heavy foot traffic).
Why: Prolonged physical disturbance may result in either loose connections or momentary loss of power with some pads.
✅ 7. Last Resort Alternative Power Supply
Procedure: If all else fail, plug the clock into an entirely different room to ensure circuit specific electrical issues are not causing the redundancies.
Why: If you have one room with electrical inconsistencies in current due to wiring issues, multiple plugs to one breaker, etc. this could be the hidden cause.
🧪 What Testergate Recommends
Testergate tests home electronics under a variety of conditions — day and night usage, insufficient external backup warnings, and overload surge tests.
Based on our results, we recommend:
✅ Use a new backup battery in your clock no matter how you power it.
✅ Keep high-draw items away from your clock’s circuit.
✅ Place your clock outlet near a stable outlet, such as kitchen-grade outlets or those on less overloaded circuits.
✅ Use any firmware update or perform a reset if your clock has a digital interface or touchscreen.
🔍 Above everything, we think any user should be able to have knowledge of any technology, not just use it.
🧭 Final Thoughts
Having your digital alarm clock reset over and over again may be annoying, but it also disrupts your entire schedule. Thankfully, most of the problems we mentioned are simple to diagnose and fix — especially if you understand the ins and outs of power instability and battery backup.
At Testergate, we want to help you get the most out of your everyday technology by supplying real-life tested solutions.
Don’t let the basics of a clock ruin your whole day. Be confident — and on time.
