Windows geolocation services showing the wrong location

Erik Krellner 0 Reputation points
2026-07-13T05:20:08.57+00:00

My computers geolocation services is showing that my computer is located in the state that I used to live in a few years ago and not the current state im in. This is messing with my weather app, widgets, browser (maps), and time zones. The computer im using is brand new and is not using any components from a computer I used to have while in the old state. The only thing that is the same is the Microsoft account. My ISP was also changed so I don't believe it is a network related issue.

Here are the things that I have tried so far

  1. trying the "sync now" button on the Date and Time tab in settings
  2. ensuring location services is on
  3. making sure I don't have a VPN on. Going off of this my IP address is showing up in the correct location. It is only websites and apps that use geolocation services (which is almost all them) that show up incorrectly. This includes the OS
  4. I've cleared the location cache online on my Microsoft account website
  5. I've tried looking at the find my device section online which shows the old location
  6. I've tried switching to a mobile hotspot too see if it was network related and redid some of the things I listed above.
  7. I created a local account and re did some of the troubleshooting steps to see if it was a problem with the account. It still showed the wrong location.
  8. I even wiped windows completely and did a fresh install. this resolved the issue for a few days but then suddenly started showing the wrong location again.
  9. I tried setting the default location to my new address. This didn't change anything and everything still shows the old location.
  10. I also tried Turing off and and on geolocation services on my computer by pressing windows r and entering services.mcs and scrolling down to geolocation services to try and restart it. That didn't work.
  11. I've also tried enabling and disabling the "allow location override" setting in privacy and security -> Location. This didn't do anything
Windows for home | Windows 11 | Accounts, profiles, and login
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  1. Anonymous
    2026-07-14T00:08:12.48+00:00

    Hi Erik Krellner,

    I understand how frustrating this is, especially since you've already performed a clean Windows reinstall and tested with a different network connection.

    Based on the troubleshooting you've already completed, this does not sound like a simple Time Zone, VPN, ISP, or Microsoft account issue. Since the problem also occurs on a local account and returned after a clean installation, Windows may be receiving incorrect location data from its location provider rather than from your account settings.

    Before going further, could you clarify:

    1. Is this a desktop PC or a laptop/tablet with built-in GPS or cellular hardware?
    2. Are you primarily connected through Wi‑Fi or Ethernet when the incorrect location appears?
    3. When you open Windows Maps, does it show the old state as well, or only Weather/Widgets/browser apps?

    In the meantime, please try the following:

    1, Clear Windows location history

    1. Open Settings > Privacy & security > Location.
    2. Under Location history, select "Clear".
    3. Restart the PC.

    2, Verify the default location is fully updated

    1. Open Settings > Privacy & security > Location.
    2. Select "Default location" (this opens the Maps app).
    3. In Maps, choose "Set default location" and enter your current city/address.
    4. Save the change and restart Windows.

    3, Test with Wi‑Fi scanning enabled (if using Wi‑Fi)

    Windows geolocation often relies on nearby Wi‑Fi access points.

    1. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Wi‑Fi.
    2. Ensure Wi‑Fi is enabled and connected normally.
    3. Check whether the location updates after several minutes.

    4, Check Microsoft's location service directly

    Open a browser and visit: https://www.bing.com/maps

    Allow location access when prompted and see whether Bing Maps detects the old state or the current one. If Bing Maps is also incorrect, that helps determine whether the issue is with the Windows location provider itself rather than individual apps.

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Yes" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".    

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