---
title: "Keeping your server time accurate with Chrony on AlmaLinux 8"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/linux/keeping-your-server-time-accurate-with-chrony-on-almalinux-8/"
description: "Learn how to install, configure, and sync server time with Chrony using Liquid Web’s time servers on AlmaLinux 8."
vertical: "Hosting"
date: "2025-05-28"
last_modified: "2026-06-30"
---

# Keeping your server time accurate with Chrony on AlmaLinux 8

Time synchronization is essential for server reliability. Whether you’re logging data, syncing files, or running scheduled tasks, accurate timekeeping ensures everything runs smoothly. At Liquid Web, we recommend **Chrony**—a powerful and reliable time synchronization tool—for all AlmaLinux 8 servers.

This guide covers how to:

- Check if Chrony is installed
- Install it if needed
- Configure it to use Liquid Web’s time servers
- Sync time manually

---

## **Check if Chrony is installed**

Run this command:

```
systemctl | grep -i 'ntp|chrony'
```

If you see output that includes chronyd, it’s already installed and running.

---

## **Install Chrony (If not installed)**

If Chrony is not found, install it using the following command (requires root or sudo access):

```
dnf install chrony -y
```

Once installed, enable and start the Chrony service:

```
systemctl enable chronyd --now
```

Now you can continue with configuration.

---

## **Configure Chrony to use Liquid Web time servers**

1. Open the configuration file:

```
nano /etc/chrony.conf
```

2. Find the existing pool line:

```
pool 2.almalinux.pool.ntp.org iburst
```

3. Comment it out and add Liquid Web’s servers:

```
#pool 2.almalinux.pool.ntp.org iburst
server 0.time.liquidweb.com
server 1.time.liquidweb.com
server 2.time.liquidweb.com
server 3.time.liquidweb.com
```

4. Save and close the file. Then restart Chrony:

```
systemctl restart chronyd
```

---

## **Verify time synchronization**

Run this command to check synchronization status:

```
chronyc tracking
```

Sample output:

```
System time     : 0.000004672 seconds slow of NTP time
Last offset     : -0.000005877 seconds
Reference ID    : 4510EA65 (n03.mx.liquidweb.com)
```

This confirms it’s synced with Liquid Web’s time servers and operating normally.

---

## **Force an immediate time sync (if needed)**

Chrony typically makes gradual adjustments. To immediately align system time (useful if there’s a large time gap):

```
chronyc makestep
```

---

## **Need help?**

If you’re running into issues with time sync or Chrony on your Liquid Web server, contact our [support team](https://www.liquidweb.com/support).