The softener or bleach drains before Start, why is this?

If the fabric softener or bleach is dispensing into the drum before the cycle starts, you have overfilled the dispenser. Both the fabric softener and bleach compartments work using a siphon. If the respective compartments are overfilled, the siphoning action occurs immediately, and the fabric softener or bleach is dispensed into the drum.

This may cause damage to your clothes.

Be sure to only fill the dispenser to the Max line. Check the pictures below: