The systemd-timesyncd.service is the default time synchronization client in modern Ubuntu Server deployments. While it is lightweight and effective for basic SNTP syncing, administrators who require high-precision timekeeping usually replace it with more robust NTP daemons like Chrony or ntpd. This guide explains how to completely disable and mask the default timesyncd service.
Why Disable systemd-timesyncd?
Running multiple time synchronization daemons simultaneously can cause severe system clock instability, leading to authentication failures, inaccurate log timestamps, and database corruption. If you plan to install a dedicated NTP server or a more advanced client like Chrony, you must completely disable systemd-timesyncd to prevent port conflicts and clock fighting.
Disable and Mask the Service
To ensure the service is stopped and cannot be accidentally restarted by other systemd dependencies, execute the following commands:
- Open your terminal or SSH into your Ubuntu Server.
- Stop the currently running service:
sudo systemctl stop systemd-timesyncd.service - Disable the service to prevent it from starting on boot:
sudo systemctl disable systemd-timesyncd.service - Mask the service to completely link it to
/dev/null, ensuring no other service can invoke it:sudo systemctl mask systemd-timesyncd.service - Verify that the service is masked and inactive:
systemctl status systemd-timesyncd.service
With systemd-timesyncd successfully neutralized, your Ubuntu Server is now ready for the installation of an alternative, high-precision NTP daemon.