How to Use Delay Start on a Bosch Washing Machine

Bosch washing machines have had delay start for over a decade. The button is often labelled with a clock icon. The sequence is simple once you know it. Here's the exact process for every current Bosch model.

Finding the delay start button (it looks different by model)

Bosch washing machines across different series use different control panel layouts, so the delay start button can appear in more than one place and with more than one label. Here is what to look for:

Clock icon - a circular clock face, usually positioned to the right of the programme selector dial on older models
"Start Delay" - written text label, common on mid-range models from the Serie 4 and Serie 6 ranges
"Delay Start" - alternative text label used on some UK market variants
A time-related symbol with plus and minus buttons next to it, found on some front-panel layouts

On touchscreen models (Serie 8 and newer i-DOS machines), the delay function appears as a menu option on the screen rather than a physical button.

If you cannot find the button, check your model's manual. The Bosch website at bosch-home.com/uk lets you download any manual by entering your model number (printed on a sticker inside the door opening).

Setting delay start on dial-and-button Bosch models

This applies to Serie 2, Serie 4, and most Serie 6 machines with a programme dial and separate buttons.

Load the machine and add detergent to the drawer.
Turn the programme dial to select your wash (Cotton, Synthetics, Easy Care, and so on).
Adjust temperature and spin speed if needed using the relevant buttons.
Press the clock/delay button. The display shows "1h" or "01:00" indicating a 1-hour delay.
Press the button again to increase the delay. Each press adds one hour. Continue pressing until the display shows the number of hours you want to delay the start. Most Bosch models allow delays of up to 24 hours.
Press Start. The display shows a countdown timer. The machine waits and starts automatically when the delay expires.

To calculate your delay: find tonight's cheapest window on AgileAlert. If the cheapest slot starts at 3am and the current time is 10pm, set the delay to 5 hours. The machine starts at 3am.

Run time	Agile rate	Cost (2kWh, 40°C)	Annual (4x/week)
Evening peak (5-8pm)	38p/kWh	76p	£158
Price cap rate	26.11p/kWh	52p	£108
Overnight Agile (2am-6am)	4p/kWh	8p	£17

Setting delay start on Bosch Serie 8 and touchscreen models

Serie 8 machines and newer i-DOS models use a touchscreen or capacitive touch panel. The delay function works the same way but the controls differ.

Select your programme from the touchscreen menu or dial.
Tap the clock or timer icon on the screen. On some models this is a swipe-left option on the main programme screen. On others, look for a "Delay" or "Timer" option in the settings panel.
Use the plus and minus buttons (or swipe up/down) to set the delay in hours.
Confirm by tapping "Start" or pressing the physical Start button. A countdown appears on the display.

On Serie 8 models with the Home Connect feature, you can skip this entirely and schedule from your phone (see the next section).

Using Home Connect (Bosch's app) for remote scheduling

Bosch's Home Connect app (iOS and Android) supports remote control and scheduling for Wi-Fi-enabled machines. Most Serie 6, Serie 8, and i-DOS machines from 2018 onward include Home Connect.

To set up: press and hold the Home Connect button on the machine (Wi-Fi icon) until the indicator light flashes. Open the Home Connect app on your phone, tap "Add appliance", and follow the connection wizard.

Once connected, you can:

Select a programme and set delay start remotely.
Receive a push notification when the wash finishes.
View cycle status and estimated time remaining.
Start a cycle remotely if you have already loaded the machine and turned it on physically.

The practical workflow: load your machine in the evening. Check AgileAlert for tonight's cheapest window. Open Home Connect and set the delay start to begin at the cheapest slot. The machine runs while you sleep and your clothes are ready in the morning.

Siemens and Neff: identical process, different branding

Bosch, Siemens, and Neff are all part of the BSH Home Appliances group. Their washing machines share the same internal platform. If you have a Siemens or Neff machine, the delay start procedure is identical to the Bosch process described above.

Siemens uses the iQ300, iQ500, and iQ700 series naming. Neff uses different model names but the same control layout. Both brands also use Home Connect under the same app name.

For comparison guides across all brands, see the complete guide to washing machine timing on Octopus Agile.

Frequently asked questions

Does every Bosch washing machine have delay start?

Almost every Bosch machine from 2010 onward has delay start. The exception is some very basic entry-level models (usually the lowest-price range sold through budget retailers). Check your control panel for a clock icon or "Delay" button. If you are unsure, look up your model number on the Bosch website or in the manual.

Does the Bosch delay count in hours from now or set a specific time?

On dial-and-button Bosch models, you set a delay in hours from when you press Start. For example, setting a 5-hour delay at 10pm means the machine starts at 3am. On some newer touchscreen models, you can set a specific start time directly. Check your display to see which format your machine uses.

My Bosch is older. Does it still have this feature?

Bosch has included delay start on most models since around 2008. Look for a clock-face button or symbol on the control panel. If your machine predates 2008, it may not have the function built in. In that case, a plug-in timer (around £10 from most hardware shops) achieves the same result by controlling power to the machine at a set time.

Can I cancel the delay after pressing Start?

Yes. On most Bosch machines, pressing and holding the Start button for 3-5 seconds while the machine is in countdown mode cancels the programme. On touchscreen models, tap the Stop or Cancel button. This resets the machine without running the cycle.