You’ve just unpacked your new Samsung SmartThings oven and the sleek touchscreen is already calling your name. Before you start perfecting a soufflé or searing a steak, you’ll want the clock right where you need it—accurate, readable, and working on your terms. A correctly set clock isn’t just a convenience; it powers timers, pre‑heat alerts, and even syncs with your phone’s schedule.
In this guide we’ll walk you through every nuance of the oven’s clock feature. You’ll learn how to locate the setting, switch between 12‑hour and 24‑hour displays, understand daylight‑saving behavior, and troubleshoot common hiccups. We’ll also explore battery backup, alarm options, display customization, and how the oven’s time interacts with your smartphone. By the end you’ll have a fully tuned clock that enhances, rather than distracts from, your cooking experience.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Access the clock menu directly from the oven’s Home screen or via the SmartThings app.
- Switch between 12‑hour and 24‑hour formats in a single tap, with the option to show date alongside time.
- The oven’s clock does not auto‑adjust for daylight saving; you must update it manually or via the app.
- If the clock won’t set, check Wi‑Fi connectivity, firmware version, and power‑reset the unit.
- Clock settings have zero impact on cooking performance, but proper configuration unlocks timer and alarm features.
Finding and Opening the Clock Settings
The first step is to locate the clock menu. On the oven’s main display, tap the three‑dot icon in the upper‑right corner to reveal the quick‑access panel. From there, select “Settings,” then scroll down until you see “Clock & Timer.” If you prefer using your phone, open the SmartThings app, choose your oven from the device list, and tap “Clock” under the “Appliance Settings” tab. Both pathways land you on the same configuration screen, so you can pick whichever feels most natural.
Once you’re on the Clock & Timer page, the current time appears in large digits, with small icons for AM/PM and a calendar icon if the date is enabled. This screen is the hub for all subsequent adjustments.
Choosing Between 12‑Hour and 24‑Hour Displays
Samsung gives you the freedom to display time in either the familiar 12‑hour format with AM/PM or the military‑style 24‑hour clock. To switch, simply tap the “Format” button beneath the time display. A toggle appears—slide it to “24‑HR” and watch the numbers instantly re‑format. The change is stored locally, so even if the oven loses power, it will remember your preference.
Why might you pick 24‑hour? If you run a busy household where meals start at odd hours, a 24‑hour display eliminates any confusion between morning and evening. Conversely, the 12‑hour mode is more intuitive for casual cooks who rarely think in “hours past midnight.” The choice is yours, and you can flip back at any time with the same two‑tap process.
Daylight‑Saving Time: Manual Updates Required
Unlike smartphones, the SmartThings oven does not automatically jump forward or backward when daylight‑saving time (DST) changes. The reason is simple: the oven’s internal clock isn’t linked to an internet time server unless you explicitly enable cloud sync. If you rely on the app, you’ll receive a push notification reminding you to adjust the clock. Otherwise, you’ll need to edit the time manually through the same Clock & Timer menu.
A practical tip: set a calendar reminder on your phone for the DST transition dates. When the alert fires, open the oven’s clock settings, add or subtract one hour, and confirm. This small habit keeps your timers accurate and prevents the occasional “oven thinks it’s 3 AM” mishap.
Troubleshooting Clock‑Setting Issues
If the clock refuses to change, start with the basics. First, verify that the oven is connected to your Wi‑Fi network; a dropped connection can block app‑based changes. Next, ensure the firmware is up‑to‑date—Samsung releases minor patches that address UI glitches, and the latest version often smooths out clock bugs. You can check the firmware version under Settings → About → Software.
If the touchscreen itself seems unresponsive, perform a soft reset: press and hold the “Power” button for ten seconds until the display blacks out, then release and wait a minute for the system to reboot. After the reboot, revisit the Clock & Timer screen and try setting the time again. Should the problem persist, unplug the oven for a full power cycle (wait 2‑3 minutes before plugging back in). This clears any lingering memory corruption that might be preventing the clock from saving new values.
Impact of Clock Settings on Cooking Performance
A common myth is that fiddling with the clock can affect heating elements or bake times. In reality, the clock is an isolated module that only drives the display and alarm functions. Whether you run the oven in 12‑hour or 24‑hour mode, or enable the date overlay, the internal temperature sensors and control algorithms remain untouched.
What does change, however, is the reliability of timed cooking modes. If you set a roast to start at 6 PM using the “Delay Start” feature, the oven calculates the delay based on the clock’s current reading. An inaccurate clock could cause the roast to begin too early or too late, potentially spoiling the dish. So while the clock doesn’t alter heat, keeping it precise ensures your scheduled cooking runs on schedule.
Battery Backup and Power Outage Resilience
Unlike some vintage appliances that house a small backup battery for the clock, Samsung’s SmartThings ovens rely entirely on mains power. When the power cuts, the clock blanks out and will revert to 00:00 when power returns, awaiting a manual or app‑driven reset. This design simplifies the hardware and reduces the chance of a dead battery causing a display error.
If you live in an area with frequent outages, consider pairing the oven with a UPS (uninterruptible power supply). A UPS keeps the oven’s electronics alive long enough for you to re‑establish the correct time without a full reset, preserving any active timers or delayed‑start programs.
Customizing the Clock Display: Date, Icons, and Brightness
Beyond hour format, Samsung lets you tailor what the clock actually shows. Tap the “Display Options” button inside the Clock & Timer menu. Here you can toggle the calendar icon to show the day of the month, enable a small “°F/°C” indicator, or turn on a subtle background dimmer that reduces glare during night cooking.
For example, a busy parent might enable the date and a low‑brightness mode so the clock is readable without waking the kids. A baker who relies on precise timing may hide the date to keep the display uncluttered. Each change takes effect instantly, and you can revert with a single tap—no need to dive into advanced menus.
Syncing Oven Time with Your Smartphone
If you prefer a hands‑off approach, the SmartThings app can keep the oven’s clock in sync with your phone’s system time. Enable this by opening the app, selecting your oven, and toggling “Sync Clock with Phone” under Clock Settings. The app will push the current time to the oven whenever you open the app or when the phone’s clock changes (such as after a DST shift). This feature works over the local Wi‑Fi network, so it’s fast and doesn’t consume extra data.
Keep in mind that the sync only occurs when the app is active. If you rarely open SmartThings, you’ll need to adjust the clock manually after a major time change. For most users, a weekly check‑in is enough to keep everything aligned.
Using Alarms and Multiple Timers on the Oven
The SmartThings oven isn’t just a clock; it’s a full‑featured timer system. Tap “Alarms” on the Clock & Timer screen to create up to three separate alerts. Each alarm can be named (e.g., “Bread Proof” or “Kids’ Snack”) and assigned a specific time. When the alarm triggers, the oven flashes the display, emits a chime, and optionally sends a push notification to your phone.
In addition to alarms, you have a built‑in countdown timer that you can start from the Home screen. Set the minutes, press “Start,” and the oven will count down while you prep other dishes. The timer runs independently of the clock, so you can have a 45‑minute bake timer while the clock continues to show the current time.
These features are especially handy for multi‑course meals: set an alarm for when the roast reaches its target temperature, and a separate timer for the side vegetables. The oven handles both without you needing a separate kitchen timer.
Turning Off the Clock Display When You Don’t Need It
Some cooks prefer a clean oven face while the dish is in the cavity. To hide the clock, go back to the Clock & Timer menu and toggle the “Show Clock” switch off. The display will then show only the active cooking mode or a blank screen, depending on what you’re doing. When you need the time again, simply toggle the switch back on.
If you’re using the SmartThings app, you can also disable the clock remotely. This is useful if you’ve stepped away from the kitchen and don’t want the clock’s brightness to attract attention or waste a few seconds of your attention span.
Leveraging the Built‑In Timer Function for Precise Cooking
The oven’s timer is more than a simple countdown; it integrates with the clock to provide start‑and‑stop capabilities. For instance, you can set a “Delay Start” of 2 hours, and the oven will automatically begin pre‑heating at the exact future time, using the clock as its reference point. This is perfect for early‑morning breakfasts or late‑night leftovers.
To use it, select “Delay Start” from the Home screen, choose your desired temperature, and then set the delay using the plus/minus controls. The oven will display both the target start time (derived from the clock) and the remaining delay. If you need to adjust, simply tap the delay field again and enter a new value. The timer will continue to run even if you close the door, as long as the oven remains plugged in.
Displaying Both Time and Date Simultaneously
Many users ask whether the oven can show the full date alongside the time. The answer is yes—just enable the “Show Date” option in the Display Settings. Once turned on, the clock area expands to a two‑line format: the top line shows HH:MM (or 24‑HR), and the bottom line shows DD MMM (e.g., 07 Oct). This layout is designed to fit within the limited screen real estate without crowding the main cooking interface.
A practical scenario: imagine you’re following a multi‑day recipe that calls for a specific start date. Having the date visible at a glance prevents you from misreading a “7” as a “1” and starting the process a day early. The date display updates automatically at midnight, so you never need to intervene.
âť“ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I control the oven’s clock using voice assistants like Bixby or Alexa?
Yes. When you link your Samsung SmartThings account to Bixby or Alexa, you can issue commands such as “Set the oven clock to 6 PM” or “What time does the oven think it is?” The voice service forwards the request to the SmartThings cloud, which updates the oven’s clock instantly. Note that you must grant the assistant permission to access appliance settings during the initial setup.
What happens to the clock if I install a new firmware update?
A firmware update resets only the software modules related to cooking functions; the clock settings (format, date display, alarms) are preserved. However, it’s good practice to verify the time after an update, especially if the update includes network stack changes that could affect time sync.
Is there a way to lock the clock settings to prevent children from changing them?
Samsung provides a “Parental Control” option under Settings → Security. Enable it, set a four‑digit PIN, and then toggle the lock for Clock & Timer. Once locked, any attempt to modify the clock will prompt for the PIN, keeping accidental changes out of reach of curious kids.
Can the oven’s clock be used as a backup time source for other SmartThings devices?
No. The oven’s clock is a standalone module and does not broadcast time information to other devices. Each SmartThings appliance maintains its own time sync, typically via the phone or the cloud. If you need a central time source, rely on your smartphone or a dedicated smart hub.



