Why Is HBO Max Not Working on My TV? [Reasons & Fixes]

HBO Max is a prime choice to binge all your favorite HBO movies, series, documentaries, and much more. And what better way to dive deep into the Home Box Office, than on your big-screen TV?

Unfortunately, sometimes you run into annoying errors that you don't know how to fix. So today, we're going to check out some of the most common problems as to why is HBO Max not working and some quick fixes.

1. Common Issues & Why HBO Max Is Not Working on TV

Now let's take a look at some of the most prevalent issues plaguing the HBO Max app on your TV.

HBO Max Crashing

One of the most common problems users reported of the HBO Max app not working on TV is constant crashes. Some users reported crashes as soon as they opened the HBO Max app on their TVs.

Others have reported specific instances of crashes. When they open a series/movie to watch, go to stream the content, only for the app to crash completely.

This issue could be related to memory issues from incomplete installations. Alternatively, it could be outdated software (TV OS or app version) causing the issue.

HBO Max Streaming Issue

There are a few notable issues when it comes to streaming HBO Max. One of the prominent issues is constant buffering. This could be a problem with either HBO Max's servers or your internet connection.

There's also a prominent issue for customers subscribed with AT&T HBO Max not working correctly. There are reports of the app saying their HBO Max subscription has expired when they're still paying their AT&T bill monthly.

This is most probably a problem on AT&T's side that's causing accounts to accidentally show as unsubscribed. The only real solution is to reach out to customer support for more information.

HBO Sound Not Working

If you can't hear anything from a movie or TV series, there may be a problem with that specific title. Try checking other titles and see if you can hear anything.

Alternatively, make sure your TV is not muted and the volume is turned up. If you're using external speakers, there may be a firmware update pending, or the cable is not connected properly.

Also, try changing the TV's audio settings from mono to stereo to see if that fixes the problem.

Other HBO Max Problems

HBO Max Downloads Not Working

Downloads are exclusively available on smartphones/tablets. However, there are known reports of not being able to access downloads when offline. Users have reported seeing this error "We're having issues connecting to HBO Max right now. Please try again." This is a problem stemming from the app itself.

HBO Max Login Not Working

It's a known issue where HBO Max does not allow you to sign in to your account.

HBO Max Subtitles Not Working

Some users have reported that subtitles do not appear or work properly. There is a quick workaround where you change the language of the subtitles and continue watching. After a few seconds, change back to your original subtitle language.

2. How to Fix HBO Max Not Working on TV?

If you're experiencing one of the issues above causing HBO Max not working on your TV, try some of the fixes below to remedy the problem:

1Check the HBO Max Status

Your first course of action should be to check whether HBO Max servers are up and running. Check sites like DownDetector or Is it Down Right Now and see if other users have reported issues with the site.

If that's the case, then it's a problem with HBO Max's servers.

2Make Sure HBO Max Is Available in Your Area

Make sure HBO Max is available in your region. HBO Max is officially available in the United States, parts of Latin America, and some European countries. For a list, check out HBO page about the available regions.

However, another issue arises when you travel to another country where HBO Max is not available. In this case, even if you subscribed in a country that supports HBO Max, it won't work unless the country you're in also supports HBO Max.

3Check Supported Devices for HBO Max

Another simple thing to check is if your TV model supports the HBO Max app.

Here's a list of devices that officially support HBO Max:

• Amazon Fire TV (Fire OS 5.1 or later)
• Android TV (Android OS 5 or later)
• Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD
• Cox Contour 2 and Contour Stream Player
• LG Smart TV (webOS 4.0 or later)
• PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5
• Roku (Roku OS 10.0 or later)
• Samsung TV (2016 models or later)
• Vizio Smart TV (2016 models or later)
• Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S

4Reboot your Wi-Fi Router

If you're having issues with your connection, we recommend restarting your Wi-Fi router and modem. It's best to power cycle them, which means you should unplug the router/modem and leave it unplugged for 10 - 30 seconds before turning it back on.

You should also unplug any cables between the router/modem.

5Power Cycle Your TV

You can also power cycle your TV to help fix bugs causing HBO Max to not work. Switch off your TV and unplug the cord. Leave the cord unplugged for 10 - 30 seconds. Once time's up, plug it back in and see if HBO Max is working normally.

Power cycling is a step above simply turning your TV on and off again with the remote. Since it's unplugged, it switches off completely and boots back up fresh, without errors from the previous session.

6Clear HBO Max App Cache on TV

You can also try clearing the HBO Max app cache on your TV to help resolve bugs. The process is slightly different across TV brands, so we've highlighted a few to help you get started:

Samsung TV:

Step 1. Open the Settings page on Samsung TV.

Step 2. Open 'All Settings'.

Step 3. Select 'Support'.

Step 4. Select 'Device Care'.

Step 5. Select 'Manage Storage'.

Step 6. Navigate and select the HBO Max app. Select 'View Details'.

Step 7. Select 'Clear Cache'.

LG TV:

Step 1. Press the Home button on your remote.

Step 2. Select the Settings option.

Step 3. Select 'System Settings'.

Step 4. Open 'Application Manager'.

Step 5. Navigate and select the HBO Max app.

Step 6. Select 'Clear Cache'.

Android TV:

Step 1. Select the 'Settings' (Cog icon) in the top-right corner of the home page.

Step 2. Select 'Apps'.

Step 3. Find and select the HBO Max app.

Step 4. Scroll down and select 'Clear Cache'.

Apple TV:

Apple doesn't allow users to manually clear the app's cache data. You can restart/power cycle your Apple TV or reinstall the HBO Max app for the same effect.

7Reinstall the HBO Max App

A quick way to fix issues with the HBO Max app is to simply reinstall the app. Depending on the TV you're using, the method may vary, but they should remain largely the same.

Step 1. Select the 'Settings' (the gear icon) in the top-right corner of the home page.

Step 2. Select 'Apps'.

Step 3. Find and select the HBO Max app.

Step 4. Select 'Uninstall'.

Step 5. Select OK.

Now the app is uninstalled, go to the app store and search for HBO Max. Reinstall the app and see if that fixes your issues.

8Check the Maximum Devices Connected to HBO Max Account

While HBO Max allows you to sign in to unlimited devices, they only allow you to stream up to 3 devices simultaneously on the Standard Plan. The Basic Plan only allows you to stream on 1 device.

If you've received an error saying 'Streaming on Too Many Devices', you have to check if a device/user you don't know is using your account. Here's how:

Step 1. Sign in to HBO Max on your smartphone, tablet, or PC.

Step 2. Select your Profile in the top-right corner. Select 'Settings'.

Step 3. Scroll down until you reach the 'Devices' option.

Step 4. Select Manage Devices.

Step 5. Scroll through the list and see if you recognize each device logged in to your HBO Max account. If you notice a device you don't recognize, click the 'X' button to delete and sign the device out of the account.

9Try Another Title

A simple way to check if HBO Max is working is to go to another title and see if you can play the movie/series with no issue. Sometimes certain titles on HBO Max may have problems that are causing issues like crashes, audio issues, subtitling errors, etc.

If you tried another title and it works fine, it's best to wait and resume watching your original content after a day or two in case HBO Max patches things up.

10Contact HBO Max Support

Your last option will be to contact HBO Max support. They should be able to help you rectify any issues you're facing.

You can check out the HBO Max Help page to contact them. You can email them, do a live chat, or call them. Additionally, you could look through their self-help guides to see if you can find any fixes to issues you may be facing.

3. Bonus: Screen Mirror Mobile Device to Smart TV

AirDroid Cast is a seamless screen mirroring tool that enables you to mirror your device screen wirelessly and via USB. With AirDroid Cast, you can also mirror your phone screen to your TV easily.

4. Final Thoughts

HBO Max not working on your TV can be a pain to deal with, but hopefully, you've found a solution with our guide.

If you find this guide helpful, feel free to share it with your friends.