diff --git a/test/e2e/framework/process.go b/test/e2e/framework/process.go
index b601c369..cca93b1d 100644
--- a/test/e2e/framework/process.go
+++ b/test/e2e/framework/process.go
@@ -128,10 +128,16 @@ func waitForClientProxyReady(configPath string, p *process.Process, timeout time
 		return false
 	}
 
+	// Use a single deadline so the total wait across all proxies does not exceed timeout.
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(timeout)
 	for _, cfg := range proxyCfgs {
+		remaining := time.Until(deadline)
+		if remaining <= 0 {
+			return false
+		}
 		name := cfg.GetBaseConfig().Name
 		pattern := fmt.Sprintf("[%s] start proxy success", name)
-		if err := p.WaitForOutput(pattern, 1, timeout); err != nil {
+		if err := p.WaitForOutput(pattern, 1, remaining); err != nil {
 			return false
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/test/e2e/pkg/process/process.go b/test/e2e/pkg/process/process.go
index 93b49b54..6f4e3e39 100644
--- a/test/e2e/pkg/process/process.go
+++ b/test/e2e/pkg/process/process.go
@@ -124,8 +124,8 @@ func (p *Process) SetBeforeStopHandler(fn func()) {
 	p.beforeStopHandler = fn
 }
 
-// WaitForOutput polls the combined process output until all patterns are found
-// or the timeout is reached. It also returns early if the process exits.
+// WaitForOutput polls the combined process output until the pattern is found
+// count time(s) or the timeout is reached. It also returns early if the process exits.
 func (p *Process) WaitForOutput(pattern string, count int, timeout time.Duration) error {
 	deadline := time.Now().Add(timeout)
 	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {