---
title: "Synchronizing a Time-Based Irrigation Program"
canonical: "https://farmconnect.docs.rubiconwater.com/space/FCD/2066645114/Synchronizing%20a%20Time-Based%20Irrigation%20Program"
format: markdown
---
> Macro (toc)

# What Does Synchronization Do?

Synchronizing a time-based irrigation program writes the presets required to run the program to devices in the field.

# The Synchronization Process

**Step 1**

Click the **Synchronize** button in the Irrigation Programs menu. 

> ℹ️ **Note**
> ℹ️ 
> ℹ️ The **Synchronize **button is not enabled unless the program start time is at least ten minutes in the future.

The **Synchronize** screen shows you the presets that are about to be downloaded to the bay gates. The top Gantt chart shows the bay gate presets that will be written out to your bay gate devices. The bottom Gantt chart shows the bay gate presets that are already in your devices and about to be (this may be empty if there are no current presets loaded into the gates). Make sure the presets in the top Gantt chart are consistent with what you expect.

**Step 2 **

Click **Synchronize** **Program**. Your presets will now be written out to the field. Depending on the size of your program this process may take up to a few minutes. Once it is finished it will display feedback at the bottom of the dialogue. 

## What to do if Synchronization Fails

If synchronization fails some presets may be written to the field but others may not. Any synchronization errors will show up in red in the progress dialog. If this occurs re-try the process by clicking the **Synchronize** **Program** button again. 

- If only part of you program was successfully synchronized, check the manual control page to see which presets have been uploaded and disable those presets if necessary.
- If a small portion of the devices are not synchronizing you may have communication failures on those devices. Check device alarms in the portal.
- If errors persist, please contact your service representative.

> ⚠️ **NOTE: **A synchronized program does not mean that the devices in the program are clear of alarms that may prevent the program running as expected.  Please check the [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2022342699](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2022342699) page before synchronizing a program and consult the [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCKB/pages/2205876303](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCKB/pages/2205876303) if required to resolve any alarms.

# Synchronization States

Synchronisation status is indicated by the colour of the Synchronise button. The statuses are:

| **Colour** | **Status** | **Description** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| :syncBtnBlue:  Blue | **Ready to Sync** | The program is valid but has not yet been synchronized. |
| :syncBtnRed:  Red | **Out Of Sync** | Out of sync programs have a start time allocated but the presets out in the field do not match the presets defined in the program for the given start time. |
| :syncBtnGreen:  Green | **Synchronized** | Synchronized programs have a start time allocated, and field devices have presets loaded. The presets in the field are as defined in the program. |
| :syncBtnGrey:  Grey | **Program Invalid** | The program is not synchronized or is incomplete. This could be due to a missing start time, a start time in the past, or a program that has not had any actions defined for it. |

## Demonstration Video: Synchronize a Time-Based Program

![_RUB_Tutorial_ FarmConnect Synchronise Time-Based Program.mp4](media://74ba8cb6-a71a-450d-a324-2726b5efff72)


---