# \#delay

**URL:** https://discourse.nodered.org/tag/delay/4.md

[Latest](https://discourse.nodered.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://discourse.nodered.org/categories.md) · [Tags](https://discourse.nodered.org/tags.md)

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## [Delay node - rate limit strange behaviour. Confusing limit rates. Is it lying us (a little)?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/delay-node-rate-limit-strange-behaviour-confusing-limit-rates-is-it-lying-us-a-little/100005)

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**Author:** [@ortegafernando](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/ortegafernando)\
**Replies:** 11\
**Last updated:** [26 December 2025 14:39 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/delay-node-rate-limit-strange-behaviour-confusing-limit-rates-is-it-lying-us-a-little/100005 "2025-12-26T14:39:12Z")

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Hi everyone, I’m having a question about the Delay node in Node-RED when using the rate limit option. (Node red version 4.0.8) For example, I configured the node to 10 messages per minute, but the behavior is not what …

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## [Rate limiter that doesn't delay first message](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/rate-limiter-that-doesnt-delay-first-message/99883)

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**Author:** [@scf](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/scf)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [7 December 2025 10:17 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/rate-limiter-that-doesnt-delay-first-message/99883 "2025-12-07T10:17:54Z")

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I'm looking for a different rate limiter and wonder if anyone has already built it. The default rate limiter seems to delay the first message by the limit rate. I want the first message after deployment to be sent, and …

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## [Understanding ratelimit per topic](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/understanding-ratelimit-per-topic/98070)

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**Author:** [@waquete](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/waquete)\
**Replies:** 5\
**Last updated:** [13 July 2025 10:47 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/understanding-ratelimit-per-topic/98070 "2025-07-13T10:47:07Z")

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I am confused by the delay / rate limit node, not sure it can do what I want. Here is what I wish to: sending message with different topics (say topic1, topic2). rate limit for each topic (say 1 msg per minute). just…

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## [Variable rate limit](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/variable-rate-limit/97516)

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**Author:** [@dougle03](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/dougle03)\
**Replies:** 4\
**Last updated:** [9 June 2025 18:50 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/variable-rate-limit/97516 "2025-06-09T18:50:37Z")

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Hi all, Particular problem; I'm running a flow that generates over 200 messages very quickly. The target that receives these messages can easily be overwhelmed due to a number of reasons. To solve this I'm currently u…

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## [Allow random range delay](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/allow-random-range-delay/95230)

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**Author:** [@eden881](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/eden881)\
**Replies:** 7\
**Last updated:** [8 February 2025 15:08 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/allow-random-range-delay/95230 "2025-02-08T15:08:05Z")

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I'd love the option to delay & rate-limit messages using a range to select a random amount of time. For example: delay messages to 3-6/sec, so that each message in the queue will wait between 3 to 6 seconds. It helps t…

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## [Delay node - rate limit not working for all messages?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/delay-node-rate-limit-not-working-for-all-messages/93439)

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**Author:** [@ThingsTinkerer](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/ThingsTinkerer)\
**Replies:** 25\
**Last updated:** [2 December 2024 08:35 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/delay-node-rate-limit-not-working-for-all-messages/93439 "2024-12-02T08:35:19Z")

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Tried using delay node to limit how many messages are passed through. I want to discard all intermediate messages. Action: Rate Limit All Messages Rate: 1 msg per 1 second Drop intermediate messages Ì then go on to …

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## [Persist timer/delay node state between Node-RED restarts/reboots](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/persist-timer-delay-node-state-between-node-red-restarts-reboots/89688)

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**Author:** [@Semmu](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Semmu)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [24 July 2024 19:01 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/persist-timer-delay-node-state-between-node-red-restarts-reboots/89688 "2024-07-24T19:01:30Z")

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Hi, I'm using Node-RED for my DIY home automation stuff and it has been working great. I'm using the built-in delay nodes for some stuff, e.g. to turn off certain lights automatically after no movement has been detected…

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## [Delay node queue](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/delay-node-queue/89232)

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**Author:** [@j2002](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/j2002)\
**Replies:** 6\
**Last updated:** [4 July 2024 11:43 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/delay-node-queue/89232 "2024-07-04T11:43:15Z")

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I need a little help because I'm not sure how to do that. In my flow I try to do a test every hour and, if the test conditions are not met, I send a message to a delay node, which sends it 600 seconds later. Again it ch…

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## [On-demand delay node](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/on-demand-delay-node/88466)

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**Author:** [@kitori](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/kitori)\
**Replies:** 9\
**Last updated:** [4 June 2024 13:21 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/on-demand-delay-node/88466 "2024-06-04T13:21:47Z")

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I have a sequence of task parameters. For executting the task, i use a function node, which cache the sequence in the node context and send the first element of the cache on demand (via array.shift()). So this function…

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## [Delay node rate limit by topic starts limiting](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/delay-node-rate-limit-by-topic-starts-limiting/84857)

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**Author:** [@afonsoc12](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/afonsoc12)\
**Replies:** 7\
**Last updated:** [25 January 2024 13:35 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/delay-node-rate-limit-by-topic-starts-limiting/84857 "2024-01-25T13:35:17Z")

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Hi, So I want to rate limit the amount of output messages, by topics. I have a node that fires messages with different msg.topics and msg.payload, which is exemplified with inject nodes in the photo. The idea is: Th…

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## [How to delay only true messages](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-delay-only-true-messages/83337)

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**Author:** [@mrDal666](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/mrDal666)\
**Replies:** 10\
**Last updated:** [1 December 2023 14:30 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-delay-only-true-messages/83337 "2023-12-01T14:30:27Z")

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Hi, i need some help. i want to delay only a true message for 1 hour and not the false. how do i do that? been searching for a week now zo please help. i tryed somting like this but its not working. \[{"id":"3a512d1f…

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## [Has something changed with the delay node?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/has-something-changed-with-the-delay-node/81221)

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**Author:** [@marcus-j-davies](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/marcus-j-davies)\
**Replies:** 5\
**Last updated:** [12 September 2023 16:09 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/has-something-changed-with-the-delay-node/81221 "2023-09-12T16:09:54Z")

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Hello everyone, its been a while :sweat\_smile: This finding is prior to 3.1 (i'm sure it is), but Mrs Davies keeps bringing it up, because of the effect its having with automation. I have noticed the delay node WILL pa…

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## [Show Messages in Delay Node](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/show-messages-in-delay-node/78597)

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**Author:** [@JHelm](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/JHelm)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [22 May 2023 07:58 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/show-messages-in-delay-node/78597 "2023-05-22T07:58:37Z")

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Hey i want to know, if it's possible to show the messages currently waiting in a delay node (maybe there is a method without flushing them). Thank you for your help.

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## [Not able to integrate custom node](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/not-able-to-integrate-custom-node/77361)

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**Author:** [@sheminasalam](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/sheminasalam)\
**Replies:** 8\
**Last updated:** [10 April 2023 14:43 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/not-able-to-integrate-custom-node/77361 "2023-04-10T14:43:08Z")

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I a real noobie to creating nodes.I wanted to add an output property to the build in delay node which gives the total delay applied while random delay is selected. This info will be send as msg.delay\_time. I was able to …

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## [Delay node with rate limit by x msg / x time unit](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/delay-node-with-rate-limit-by-x-msg-x-time-unit/74427)

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**Author:** [@sortidocorps](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/sortidocorps)\
**Replies:** 11\
**Last updated:** [7 February 2023 10:49 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/delay-node-with-rate-limit-by-x-msg-x-time-unit/74427 "2023-02-07T10:49:19Z")

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Hello everyone, It's about the core delay node. I noticed that the Delay node in rate x msg / x unit time mode doesn't work as my intended. For example, if set to 10 msg/10s it gives 1 msg/1s instead of 10 msg in 10s. …

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## [Deconflicting Delay Node for PIR and Ikea Remote](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/deconflicting-delay-node-for-pir-and-ikea-remote/70157)

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**Author:** [@Blacke1991](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Blacke1991)\
**Replies:** 6\
**Last updated:** [6 November 2022 12:35 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/deconflicting-delay-node-for-pir-and-ikea-remote/70157 "2022-11-06T12:35:24Z")

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Hello All, Complete Newbee here (been running Node Red for about 3 days). Running NR 2.2.2, using Raspberry Pie, Zigbee Stick with Zigbee2MQTT. Managed to import the devices etc and make a basic flow allowing a hue PIR …

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## [Proper placement & use of Delay node](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/proper-placement-use-of-delay-node/63616)

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**Author:** [@grant1](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/grant1)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [8 June 2022 19:08 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/proper-placement-use-of-delay-node/63616 "2022-06-08T19:08:49Z")

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I have a Modbus temp controller that I have set up to poll every 1 second and send the data to our MQTT broker. I would like to use this same Modbus node to send data to InfluxDB every 30 seconds. To do this, I set up …

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## [Simple pulse generator](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/simple-pulse-generator/58271)

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**Author:** [@stevegroom](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/stevegroom)\
**Replies:** 7\
**Last updated:** [15 February 2022 04:33 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/simple-pulse-generator/58271 "2022-02-15T04:33:27Z")

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Hello, I'm learning how to control loops in NR, but can't seem to debug this simple loop. \[{"id":"43361163d49b32dc","type":"inject","z":"82bb81a69c76160e","name":"Interval 5s","props":\[{"p":"payload.time","v":"","vt…

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## [Limit message number per Hour](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/limit-message-number-per-hour/53724)

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**Author:** [@sheminasalam](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/sheminasalam)\
**Replies:** 17\
**Last updated:** [24 November 2021 08:55 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/limit-message-number-per-hour/53724 "2021-11-24T08:55:49Z")

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I want to limit the messages between two nodes to 30 messages per hour. I know about rate limit of the delay node but the problem is that instead of passing the first 30 messages as soon as they arrive, the delay node wi…

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## [Split node with delay of each message](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/split-node-with-delay-of-each-message/49680)

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**Author:** [@khfischbach](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/khfischbach)\
**Replies:** 7\
**Last updated:** [14 August 2021 06:42 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/split-node-with-delay-of-each-message/49680 "2021-08-14T06:42:28Z")

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Hi, I have used split node successfully to split a message into several messages. Is there a way to delay each single message e.g. by 5 seconds. A delay node does not do the trick. Help appreciated! Regards Kallewir…