# SNTP server settings

**The WIN gateway MUST HAVE a correct date and time to operate.** 

The date and time are obtained from an SNTP server defined in [network-time-sntp-ntp-settings](https://help.boomerang3.com/win-gateway-installation-manual/gateway-configuration/network-time-sntp-ntp-settings "mention").

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If there is no access to an SNTP server, the date shown after power on in Advanced -> Details will be 1970-01-01 and the gateway will not detect any linked or unlinked nodes.

SNTP server access is crucial and is a common cause of WIN gateway mulfunction when it sends no readings.