Troubleshooting
Google Maps Still Shows Wrong Hours After You Updated Them? Causes and Permanent Fixes
You changed your opening hours on Google Business Profile, but Google Maps still shows the old timings, says "Closed" when you're open, shows "Hours might differ", or changes back. Learn why — pending review, special hours overriding regular hours, user suggestions, third-party data, multiple listings, more-hours settings — and how to fix and lock in correct hours.
By Chamko Research Team Updated 5 min read
Quick answer
If hours don't update, check in this order: the edit may still be under review (it shows as pending); old special hours may be overriding regular hours for certain dates; Google may have accepted a customer suggestion or data from your website or other sites; you may be looking at a duplicate listing; or "more hours" (delivery, takeaway) are confusing customers. Fix your regular hours, delete outdated special hours, make your website and other listings match, approve or reject Google's suggested updates in your profile, and keep the profile active. "Hours might differ" usually appears around holidays when you haven't confirmed special hours.
Quick answer: If hours don't update, check in this order: the edit may still be under review (it shows as pending); old special hours may be overriding regular hours for certain dates; Google may have accepted a customer suggestion or data from your website or other sites; you may be looking at a duplicate listing; or "more hours" (delivery, takeaway) are confusing customers. Fix your regular hours, delete outdated special hours, make your website and other listings match, approve or reject Google's suggested updates in your profile, and keep the profile active. "Hours might differ" usually appears around holidays when you haven't confirmed special hours.
Wrong hours are one of the most damaging profile errors. A customer who drives over and finds the shutter down often leaves a one-star review.
Cause 1: the edit is pending
Changes to hours are sometimes reviewed before going live. In your profile, a "pending" or "under review" label means wait — usually minutes to a few days (edits pending).
Cause 2: special hours override regular hours
Special hours (holidays, festivals) override regular hours on those dates. If you set special hours for a date range long ago and forgot, they may still apply, or a recurring holiday may show "Closed". Check Edit profile → Hours → Special hours and delete old entries (special hours).
Cause 3: "Hours might differ"
Google shows this around public holidays when you haven't confirmed special hours. Add special hours for the holiday, or confirm your regular hours apply.
Cause 4: Google accepted someone else's information
Customers can suggest hours, and Google also uses data from your website, other directories and its own analysis. If those disagree with your profile, Google may change your hours.
- Look for "Google updated your business information" notices and reject wrong changes (Google updated my business info).
- Update hours on your website, Justdial, Facebook and other listings so all sources agree (NAP citations).
- Display hours on a signboard at the shop, since Street View and photos can also be used.
Cause 5: you're looking at a duplicate listing
If customers see different hours than you, they may be seeing another listing for your business. Search your name on Maps and check for duplicates (duplicate listings).
Cause 6: "more hours" confusion
Additional hours for delivery, takeaway, drive-through, kitchen or senior hours appear separately. If delivery hours are shorter than shop hours, customers may see "Closed" for delivery. Set them correctly or remove those you don't need (attributes and hours).
Cause 7: overnight and split hours set wrong
A restaurant open 6 pm–2 am must enter hours that span midnight correctly. Lunch and dinner with a break need two time slots for the same day (24-hour and overnight hours).
Cause 8: temporary closure still on
If you marked the business "temporarily closed" and forgot to reopen it, it shows closed regardless of hours.
Cause 9: profile not owned or unverified
Unverified profiles have less control, and Google gives more weight to other data (request ownership).
How to lock in correct hours
- Set regular hours accurately for every day.
- Delete old special hours; add upcoming festival hours in advance.
- Match hours on your website and all directories.
- Check your profile weekly for Google's suggested updates.
- Post an update whenever hours change.
- Answer "What are your hours?" in Q&A (questions & answers).
Do wrong hours affect ranking?
Being shown as closed can reduce visibility for searches made at that time, especially "open now" searches (do hours affect ranking).
Example: a medical store
A medical store open 8 am–11 pm showed "Closes 9 pm". Its website footer still said 9 pm, and Google had used it. After updating the website and rejecting the suggested change, the correct hours stayed.
Example: a restaurant on Sundays
A restaurant appeared closed every Sunday. A special-hours entry from a renovation two years earlier was set to repeat. Deleting it fixed the problem.
Checklist
- Check for pending edits
- Delete old special hours
- Add holiday special hours in advance
- Match website and directory hours
- Reject wrong Google updates
- Check for duplicate listings
- Set "more hours" correctly
- Turn off temporary closure if reopened
Key takeaways
- Special hours and outside data are the usual causes.
- Consistent hours everywhere stop Google from changing them.
- Check your profile weekly for suggested updates.
Sources and further reading
- Google Business Profile Help — set business hours: support.google.com/business
- Google business profile attributes and hours
Planning hours around Indian festivals
Many shops change hours around Diwali, Eid, Holi, Navratri, Christmas, local fairs and election days. Google often shows "Hours might differ" for national holidays but not local ones. Add special hours at least a week ahead for:
- Festival days when you close or open late.
- Extended evening hours during festive shopping weeks.
- Bandh or strike days, as soon as you know.
- Your own annual closure or renovation.
Post an update for big changes so customers who follow you see it (best time to post).
What to do when a customer complains about wrong hours
Apologise in your review reply, explain that you've corrected the hours, and invite them back. Don't blame Google in a defensive tone. Then check every cause above so it doesn't happen again (how to reply to reviews).
Frequently asked questions
Why do my hours keep changing back?
Google may be using customer suggestions or other websites with old hours.
What does "Hours might differ" mean?
Google isn't sure about holiday hours; add special hours.
How long do hour changes take?
Usually minutes to a few days.
Can customers change my hours?
They can suggest changes; Google may accept them.
Should I show delivery hours separately?
Only if they differ from your regular hours.
Will wrong hours hurt reviews?
Yes — customers finding you closed often leave negative reviews.
Should I add special hours for local festivals?
Yes — Google may not know about local holidays.