Trying to figure out why the HBO Max app is not working on your device?
HBO Max is an on-demand movie streaming service that was released in the US market in May 2020. The platform features most of the shows from one of the largest TV networks in the world, HBO.
It also hosts originally produced titles similar to what Netflix does on their end.
HBO Max can be accessed using a web browser or its dedicated app, making the platform very convenient to use on any device. Unfortunately, some users have been experiencing issues with the dedicated app.
If you are here, you’re probably having difficulties watching your favorite shows since the HBO Max app is not working on your device.
Usually, you can fix this problem by simply updating the app on your device. However, other factors should also be considered, such as network problems, server issues, and corrupted files.
Today, we’re going to show you everything that you can do to fix the HBO Max app if it’s not working on your device.
Let’s get started!
1. Check HBO Max Servers.
For the first part of our guide, we’re going to identify first if the problem is on your side or HBO Max’s end. Since you can’t fix server-related issues, it is best to identify the root of the issue right away to save your time.
You can use third-party tools like Downdetector to view the current status of HBO Max and the past problems it encountered.
If HBO’s servers are offline, the only thing we can suggest doing is checking in from time to time so that you’ll immediately know once the service is up and running.
On the other hand, follow the rest of the methods below if there’s nothing wrong with HBO Max to address the problem on your side.
2. Check If Your Device Is Supported.
Another angle to check if the HBO Max app is not working is compatibility. While HBO Max supports multiple operating systems, not all models are compatible with the platform because they are too old or their specifications can’t handle the app’s requirements.
To confirm if your device is compatible with HBO Max, visit the Help Center and refer to their supported devices list.
If the platform does not support your streaming device, consider upgrading to a compatible one or access the service using any search browser.
3. Re-Login to Your Account.
Your user data may have gotten corrupted when HBO Max’s servers went down unexpectedly or during a failed update. To fix this, close your current session and wait for a few minutes before logging back in to reset your data.
On Android and iOS devices, here’s how you can sign out of your HBO Max account:
- First, launch the HBO Max app on your mobile device.
- After that, navigate to your Profile and access the Settings.
- Lastly, press the Sign Out button at the bottom of the page to close your session.
If you are using a search browser, check out the steps below to log out of your HBO Max account:
- Access the HBO Max website using any browser you prefer.
- Next, go to your Profile to open the side menu.
- Finally, click on the Sign Out button to stop your current session.
After signing out of your HBO Max account, wait for at least 2 minutes before logging back in.
Use the HBO Max app for a few minutes to check if you will encounter any issues.
4. Check and Reset Your Internet.
HBO Max requires a minimum internet bandwidth of 5 Mbps to play HD shows on the platform. If the HBO Max app is not working on your device, it may indicate that your network does not meet the platform’s requirements.
To confirm this, use Fast.com to run a test on your network to measure its current upload and download speed.
If the result confirms that your internet is the culprit, reboot your network router to refresh the connection with your service provider’s server. Disconnect the power cable from the wall outlet and wait for a few seconds before plugging it back in to restart your router.
After rebooting your router, run the test once again to check if the problem is solved. Contact your internet service provider if you continue to suffer from a poor connection and ask them to fix their service.
On the other hand, ask your ISP for an upgrade if your current subscription is below the required speed of HBO Max.
5. Turn Off VPN.
VPNs are third-party services that protect your data from hackers and allow you to bypass restrictions in your area or limitations set by your service provider. They work by masking your actual IP address to report a different location and filter your data to hide sensitive content, such as bank accounts and card numbers.
However, not all VPNs work the same, and some could even cause instability and delays to your network.
If the HBO Max app is not working, try to disable your VPN before accessing the platform.
In addition, you can also try other services such as PureVPN if you’re not comfortable browsing the internet without protection. Compared to other VPNs, PureVPN keeps your network stable and works well with HBO Max and other streaming applications.
You can also visit our dedicated guide for accessing HBO Max outside the US if you currently reside outside the region.
6. Run Malwarebytes.
Malware and other viruses could also be the reason why the HBO Max app is not working on your device. Viruses consume your system resources, making it difficult for other applications to function normally.
We recommend downloading Malwarebytes on your device to check if your system is infiltrated by malware or other viruses. Run the ‘Full System’ scan tool of Malwarebytes to search your entire storage for infected files, and it will automatically remove them in the process.
7. Clear HBO Max App Data (Android).
For Android users, we suggest clearing HBO Max’s app data first before proceeding to more advanced measures. Android applications store temporary data on your device, which are used to improve their performance.
However, they can accumulate over time or become corrupted, which causes the problem.
To fix this, follow the steps below to clear HBO Max’s app data:
- On your device, go to the Settings and access the Apps tab.
- Now, tap on HBO Max from the list of installed applications and open the Storage tab.
- Finally, press the Clear Data button to remove corrupted data from your system.
Once done, re-login to your account and check if the HBO Max app is now working.
8. Update HBO Max.
If clearing your app data was not enough, check if there’s an available update for the HBO Max app on your device. You may be using an outdated version of HBO Max, or it has a bug or glitch that causes the platform to fail.
For Android users, check out the detailed guide below to update HBO Max:
- Go to your app drawer and launch the Google Play Store.
- Next, tap on your Profile and select My Apps & Games.
- Find the HBO Max app afterwards and tap the Update button.
On iOS devices, you can update HBO Max by following the steps below:
- First, tap on the App Store on your home screen to open it.
- After that, go to your Profile and search for the HBO Max app from the list.
- Finally, tap the Update button to start updating the HBO Max app.
If you are using other devices, please visit the Help Center to find out how you can update HBO Max.
Go back to the HBO Max app afterwards and check if the problem is solved.
9. Update Your Device.
After updating HBO Max, try to check if your device has a pending update. Since you’ve updated the app, it is crucial that you also update your device’s operating system to avoid compatibility issues.
Follow the steps below to update your Android device’s operating system:
- On your app drawer, tap on the Settings app and scroll down until you see About or About Phone.
- Access it afterwards and go to Software Update.
- Finally, tap the Download and Install button if there’s an available update for your device.
For iOS users, here’s how you can update your system:
- Access the Settings app on your home screen and go to the General tab.
- Now, tap on Software Updates to prompt your device to check for updates.
- Lastly, press the Download and Install button to update your system.
If you are using Smart TVs, Consoles, or Set-top boxes, please refer to your user manual to find out how to update your device.
Go back to HBO Max after updating your device to check if the application is now working.
10. Reinstall HBO Max.
If the HBO Max app is still not working after the update, you may be dealing with a much serious problem such as corrupted files. In this case, we recommend reinstalling the app on your device instead of finding the broken files.
This will also ensure that you are using the latest version of the software and installed it correctly.
On Android, follow the steps below to reinstall the HBO Max app on your device:
- First, locate the HBO Max app in your app drawer.
- After that, tap and hold its icon to access the selection menu.
- Now, tap on Uninstall to remove the app from your system.
- Lastly, go to Google Play Store and reinstall HBO Max.
For iOS users, here’s how you can reinstall HBO Max:
- On your device, go to the home screen and find the HBO Max app.
- Press and hold its app icon until the options screen shows up.
- Next, tap the Remove App button to delete HBO Max.
- Finally, access the App Store to reinstall HBO Max.
If you are using other devices, please visit the Help Center to find out how you can reinstall HBO Max.
Go back to your account afterwards and check if the HBO Max app is now working on your device.
11. Refer to Our Other Guides.
You can also refer to our other guides below if you experience a more specific issue with the HBO Max app:
- “Service Error” on HBO Max? Here’s the Fix!
- HBO Max Audio Not Working? Here’s the Fix!
- HBO Max Not Working on Firestick / FireTV? Here’s the Fix!
- Cannot Stream HBO Max? Here’s the Fix!
- HBO Max Chromecast Not Working? Here’s the Fix!
- HBO Max Not Working on Xbox? Here’s the Fix!
- Cannot Watch Anything on HBO Max? Here’s the Fix!
- How to Install HBO Max on Amazon Fire Stick
- HBO Max Not Working on PS4 and PS5? Here’s the Fix!
12. Report the Problem to HBO Max.
At this point, we suggest that you ask the professionals for help if none of the solutions above worked out for you.
Go to HBO Max’s Help Center and get in touch with their customer support to report the problem. Ensure that you provide all the details on your report, including your account information and your streaming device’s model to speed up the process.
This ends our guide for fixing the HBO Max app if it’s not working on your device. Don’t hesitate to leave a comment below if you have any questions and we’ll be glad to answer them whenever we can.
If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂
