How do I use a washer’s delay-start or scheduled-start setting?

Start with the washer’s model-specific manual or its on-screen instructions, because the controls and sequence can differ. For the LG WM6700H/WM5700H covered by one manual, the sequence is to select a cycle and other settings before pressing Delay Start. That manual also says to press Start/Pause to begin the delay; if that step is missed, the washer may turn off after a period and lose the selected settings. Don’t assume that exact sequence applies to your machine. [S1]

A practical order is: select your cycle, choose any options you want, then set the delay using the control described in your manual. Before walking away, make sure you have completed any required confirmation step, such as Start/Pause if your model calls for it.

Check the manual’s description of that display and indicator before interpreting the number. The meaning is not universal. For example, the LG WM8000 manual distinguishes its delay-wash indicator from the estimated-time display: on that documented model, the washer starts after the set delay has passed, while the time remaining shown after Start/Pause is an estimate for the selected cycle. That explanation is specific to the WM8000, not every washer. [S2]

Look for wording such as “delay,” “start in,” “finish in,” or “time remaining,” and check which indicator is lit. If the manual does not clearly explain what you see, pause before relying on a particular start or finish time. The model examples here do not establish how every brand or display works.

After setting the delay, use the manual’s confirmation steps and check that the display or indicator matches the manual’s description. If the display changes to cycle-time information after you press a button, don’t assume that number is the delay; identify the active indicator and consult the model instructions. The WM6700H/WM5700H manual specifically warns that omitting Start/Pause can result in the washer turning off and losing its cycle settings. [S1]

For cancellation, use the instructions for your exact model. The available manuals do not establish a universal cancellation procedure, and pressing a particular button could have a different effect on another washer. If you cannot find the cancellation steps, note the model number and control labels, then consult the manufacturer’s manual or support information rather than trying an assumed sequence.

Use this as a verification checklist, not as a substitute for the instructions for your model:

1. Identify the washer’s model and open its manual to the delay, scheduled-start, or delay-wash section.
2. Choose the cycle and options in the order the manual specifies.
3. Set the desired delay using the control the manual names.
4. Complete any required confirmation step, including Start/Pause if your instructions require it.
5. Check the display label or indicator to verify what the number represents and that the setting is active.
6. If changing your mind, follow the model’s cancellation instructions; don’t rely on a generic button sequence.

For example, if your manual says to select a cycle, press Delay Start, and then press Start/Pause, follow that sequence only if it matches your washer. Before leaving, read the display again and verify the intended start timing rather than guessing from a number alone.