Diagnosis
This is normal operation for the Auto cycle. The dishwasher is using its AquaSensor to continuously monitor water turbidity and adjust the cycle length and temperature accordingly.
How to Fix It
No fix is needed. The displayed time is an estimate. If the sensor detects heavily soiled water, it will add extra wash or rinse phases. The time display will count up to reflect this. Let the cycle complete. The total run time can vary from under 2 hours to over 4 hours based on soil level.
If That Didn't Work
If the cycle seems excessively long (e.g., over 5 hours) or gets stuck on one phase, perform a reset. Press and hold the Start button for at least 5 seconds to cancel. Then restart with a different cycle like Heavy to test.
Heads Up
The Auto cycle's variable time is a feature, not a bug. For predictable cycle lengths, use a fixed program like 1 Hour Wash or Heavy. The Auto cycle is designed for efficiency, not speed.