Accurate system time is extremely important in MikroTik routers, especially for ISP and enterprise networks. Incorrect time can break logs, firewall rules, certificates, VPN connections, and scheduled tasks. The NTP Client feature in MikroTik automatically synchronizes router time with reliable internet time servers. In this guide, you will learn how to configure NTP Client on MikroTik Router step by step in a simple and professional way.
What is NTP Client?
NTP stands for Network Time Protocol, which is used to synchronize time between network devices. An NTP Client requests accurate time from an NTP Server over the internet or local network. MikroTik routers use NTP Client to keep their system clock correct at all times. This ensures logs, monitoring systems, and security features work properly.
Why NTP Configuration is Important on MikroTik
Without proper NTP configuration, MikroTik routers may show incorrect system time. This can cause serious problems such as wrong log timestamps, SSL certificate errors, and firewall schedule failures. For ISP networks, correct time is mandatory for troubleshooting and compliance. That is why NTP Client configuration should always be part of initial router setup.
- Accurate log and monitoring timestamps
- Proper firewall and scheduler operation
- Correct VPN and certificate validation
- Professional network management
Step 1: Access MikroTik Router
First, log in to your MikroTik router using Winbox, WebFig, or SSH. Administrator-level access is required to configure system time and NTP settings. Winbox is recommended for beginners because it provides a graphical interface. Once logged in, make sure the router has an active internet connection.
Step 2: Set Correct Time Zone
Before enabling NTP Client, you must configure the correct time zone. Time zone ensures that the router displays local time correctly after synchronization. Without the correct time zone, the router may show wrong local time even if NTP is working. Always configure time zone according to your country or region.
/system clock set time-zone-name=Asia/Dhaka
Step 3: Enable NTP Client
Now enable the NTP Client service on the MikroTik router. This allows the router to communicate with external NTP servers. If NTP Client is disabled, the router will never synchronize time automatically. This step activates the core NTP functionality.
/system ntp client set enabled=yes
Step 4: Configure NTP Servers
Next, configure reliable NTP servers for time synchronization. You can use public NTP servers such as pool.ntp.org or Google NTP servers. Using multiple servers improves reliability and accuracy. This ensures the router always has a valid time source.
/system ntp client set mode=unicast primary-ntp=0.pool.ntp.org secondary-ntp=1.pool.ntp.org
Many times, due to the MikroTik router OS version, the script does not work. Sometimes, it cannot even be done graphically. So please keep an eye on the process below. If your router OS does not match the script above, then follow the image below and do the exact same process. I hope it will work.
Step 5: NTP Configuration for RouterOS v7
In RouterOS v7, NTP configuration uses a slightly different menu structure. You need to configure NTP servers separately before enabling the client. This new structure improves flexibility and future scalability. Always verify your RouterOS version before applying commands.
/system ntp server set enabled=no /system ntp client set enabled=yes /system ntp client servers add address=time.google.com
Step 6: Verify NTP Synchronization
After configuration, it is important to verify whether time synchronization is working. Check the system clock and confirm that the time is correct. If the time updates automatically, the NTP Client is functioning properly. Verification ensures the configuration was applied successfully.
/system clock print
Reboot the router (if necessary)
Sometimes, even after configuring NTP, the router’s time does not synchronize correctly. In that case, you need to reboot the router. This means turning the router off and then on again. To power cycle the router, follow the script below.
/system reboot
Conclusion
Configuring NTP Client on MikroTik Router is a simple but critical task. It ensures accurate system time, reliable logs, and proper security operations. By following this step-by-step guide, you can easily synchronize time on any MikroTik router. A correctly configured NTP Client helps keep your network stable, professional, and trouble-free.
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