Described is an integrated circuit (IC) with a phase locked loop with capability of fast locking. The IC comprises: a node to provide a reference clock; a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) to generate an output clock; a divider coupled to the DCO, the divider to divide the output clock and to generate a feedback clock; and control logic operable to reset the DCO and the divider, and operable to release reset in synchronization with the reference clock. An apparatus for zeroing phase error is provided which comprises a first node to provide a reference clock; a second node to provide a feedback clock; a time-to-digital converter, coupled to the first and second nodes, to measure phase error between the reference and feedback clocks; a digital loop filter; and a control unit to adjust the measured phase error, and to provide the adjusted phase error to the digital loop filter.