Bosch's cycle chart for the SHXM4AY55N shows that long cycles are designed in: the sensors, called EcoSense, adjust cycle length, temperature and water use to the food soil and the incoming water temperature, and intensive cycles run 105 to 155 minutes. Bosch's troubleshooting table says the dishwasher runs a long time when incoming water is not warm enough, when the cycle chosen and the soil call for it, when the rinse aid dispenser is empty or set to 0 (without rinse aid the cycle defaults to the longest time with the most washes and rinses) and when it is connected to a cold water supply.
Differential
Likely causes of “Bosch dishwasher cycle takes too long”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Incoming water is not warm enough
What separates it The cycle stretches as it heats cold water because the incoming water is not warm enough
How to confirm Run the hot water faucet at the sink closest to the dishwasher before starting
- 2
The rinse aid dispenser is empty or set to 0
What separates it The cycle defaults to the longest time with the most washes and rinses
How to confirm Fill the dispenser and reset the amount above 0
- 3
Heavy soil detected by the sensors
What separates it Auto or Heavy runs at the long end of its range
How to confirm Scrape food off and use a less intensive cycle for lighter loads
- 4
A cold water supply
What separates it Every cycle runs longer than the chart because of a cold water supply
How to confirm Connect the dishwasher to a hot water supply at about 120 F
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The cycle and options selected and the total time
- Whether the rinse aid indicator was lit and the amount setting
- Whether hot water was run first
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedKnow the times
ReversibleHeavy runs about 110 to 130 minutes, Auto 105 to 130, Normal 130 to 135, Speed60 about 60, Clean30 30 and Rinse 12. Wash cycle times are based on 120 F (49 C) water.
Warm the water first
ReversibleBefore starting a cycle, run the hot water faucet at the sink closest to the dishwasher.
Keep rinse aid in the dispenser
ReversibleWithout rinse aid, or with the amount set to 0, the cycle can use longer times, more energy and water. Refill when the Add Rinse Aid indicator lights.
Trim options
ReversibleExtraScrub, Extra Shine, Sanitize and Extra Dry each add temperature and time. Bosch recommends disabling options and settings except Auto power off for minimum energy.
Use a shorter cycle
ReversibleUse a shorter cycle, since Speed60 and Clean30 shorten the cycle, and Top Rack cuts water for small loads.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Cycle chart figures
- Heavy 110 to 130 minutes at a 151 to 160 F wash and 162 F rinse; ExtraScrub 135 to 145; Extra Shine 140 to 150; Top Rack 110; Speed60 60 minutes at 127 F wash; Clean30 30 minutes; Rinse 12 minutes; Sanitize and Extra Dry 140 to 150 with a 162 F rinse; Delicate 95 to 105 with a 140 F rinse. Water use runs from about 2.4 to 7.4 gallons depending on the cycle.
- Rinse aid
- For proper drying always use a liquid rinse aid even if your detergent contains a drying additive. The Rinse Aid indicator lights when it is low; open the dispenser by pressing the latch on the lid, add liquid rinse aid until full without overfilling, close the lid until it clicks, and wipe up spills, avoiding the air vent hole. Never put detergent in the rinse aid dispenser, because that damages the dishwasher, and overfilling can cause oversudsing or clogging.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models SHE3AEM5N, SHE53B75UC, SHS43CF5N, SHP65CM5N, SHP865WD5N, SHP78CM5N, SHX78CM5N, SHV9PCM3N.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If cycles run far beyond the chart with hot water, rinse aid and a clean filter, contact Bosch Customer Support on 1-800-944-2904
- !If a code appears, follow its fix in the error code table
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Bosch's own list of dishwasher error codes with the fixes for E15, E18, E22, E24, E25 and E27.
Bosch's own owner-support articles for a dishwasher that will not drain, will not dry or smells.
Bosch's own specification sheet for this model.
Exact questions
Common questions
How long is the Normal cycle?+
About 130 to 135 minutes per the manual's chart; Auto and Heavy are similar.
Is there a faster cycle?+
Speed60 takes about an hour and Clean30 about 30 minutes.
What is EcoSense?+
Sensors that adjust cycle length, temperature and water based on soil and incoming water temperature.
What is the AquaSensor?+
An optical device that measures the cleanliness of the rinse water so clean rinse water can be reused and water use reduced.
Why does no rinse aid lengthen the cycle?+
Without it the cycle defaults to the longest time with the most washes and rinses.
Does cold water lengthen it?+
Yes. The dishwasher takes longer to heat cold water.
Do options add time?+
Yes. The cycle time and energy use may increase.
How many minutes is Rinse?+
The Rinse cycle takes about 12 minutes.