Why eTIMS date and time error happens
eTIMS date and time error is not random. It comes from one of a few specific causes, and once you know which one you are looking at, the fix is straightforward. Here is how the problem usually shows up first:
- An error about the date, time or timestamp
- Invoices fail to sign or are rejected
- It often follows a battery change or a device reset
Match what you are seeing to the closest description above, then work through the fixes below in order, starting with the most common.
eTIMS date and time error is rarely random; match the symptom to the cause and the fix is usually minutes away.
How to fix eTIMS date and time error
Work through these in order. Most businesses resolve it at step one or two, without contacting KRA.
- 1
Set the device to automatic date and time
The simplest fix. Turn on automatic date and time in the device settings so it syncs to the network clock and stays correct.
- 2
Set the correct time zone
Make sure the time zone is East Africa Time. A wrong time zone shifts the clock even when the time looks right, which can break signing.
- 3
Restart after fixing the clock
Restart the device or app after correcting the time so the control unit picks up the right clock, then resubmit the invoice.
- 4
Replace a failing device battery
A device that keeps losing the correct time may have a failing battery or clock. If the time will not hold, have the device checked.
What not to do
Do not set the time manually and forget it
A manual time drifts again. Use automatic date and time so it stays correct on its own.
Do not ignore a repeated clock problem
If the clock keeps drifting, the device needs attention, because every drift breaks signing again.
A worked example
A trader changed his phone battery and afterwards every invoice was rejected with a time-related error.
The battery change had reset the clock to a default date. Turning on automatic date and time corrected it instantly, and invoices signed and transmitted again.
When invoices suddenly stop signing after a device change, check the clock first. A wrong time is a common, easily fixed cause.
Trading without eTIMS-compliant tax invoices risks KRA penalties, blocked VAT input claims for your customers, and receipts a business buyer cannot expense.
Veira signs every sale to KRA eTIMS automatically, so each receipt is compliant the moment it prints, with no separate device to reconcile.
How Veira keeps this from happening
Veira handles eTIMS natively at the point of sale, so the conditions that cause eTIMS date and time error are managed for you. It validates the invoice before it is sent, records sales offline when the network drops and transmits them to KRA when the connection returns, and keeps your KRA details in order so the common causes never arise.
When something does need attention, Veira flags it in plain language with the next step, and local support is on hand rather than a queue. See how Veira works and book a free demo. It runs from KES 2,999 a month with a free terminal.
Frequently asked questions
Why does eTIMS show a date and time error?
How do I fix the clock for eTIMS?
Why did invoices fail after I changed my phone battery?
Does the time zone matter for eTIMS?
My device keeps losing the time. What should I do?
eTIMS date and time error is almost always one of a few known causes, each with a quick fix, so do not panic if you hit it during a sale. Work through the steps above, and if you would rather not deal with eTIMS errors at all, Veira handles compliance natively so most never happen. See how Veira works and book a free demo. Always confirm current KRA processes at kra.go.ke, as rules can change.