HBO is one of the most popular streaming platforms to watch premium quality movies, TV shows, and documentaries. It gets quite frustrating to get error messages when you’re trying to binge-watch your favorite shows. Like any other streaming platform, HBO is not exempted from occasional errors and bugs.
Recently users have reported getting a “Can’t connect” error message in HBO max. Mostly this error occurs when you log in to your account but it can also come up while navigating the interface. This error usually indicates that you have a problem with your internet connection or HBO’s servers are down.
We have made a list of troubleshooting solutions to fix the can’t connect error on HBO Max. Let’s get right into it.
Check HBO Max Servers
HBO Max needs to be online at all times for streaming services. If you’re unable to connect to HBO, one of the first things to do is check if their servers are up and running. If their servers are down there’s no point in trying out any fixes.
The easiest way to check HBO Max servers is through third-party sites like Downdetector. You can check the network status of the page and any past issues it has encountered. You can also do a quick google search asking “Is HBO Max down?”
If HBO’s servers are down, you can’t do anything except wait. On the other hand, if their servers are working just fine, move on to the next step to fix this error.
Restart the HBO Max app
Sometimes a simple restart of the app can fix the software problem. You should force close the HBO app or the device you’re using it on and then relaunch the app. If you’re using HBO Max on your smart TVs or any other streaming device, restart your TV, set-top box, or game console.
If you are streaming on your web browser, close the browser and relaunch it again. Then go to the HBO Max website to start streaming again. If you’ve more than one browser installed on your computer, you can switch to a different browser for time being. If restarting the app doesn’t work, try to restart your device.
Check and reset your internet
One of the most common solutions to fix the can’t connect error on HBO Max is to check your internet connection. Your internet might be slow or not working which causes the connectivity error. You need to have a strong WiFi connection while streaming.
If you’re streaming on your iPad, phone, or tablet, you can turn on and off Airplane mode. This helps in resetting any network or connection issues.
If you’re streaming on a browser, check your internet speed. To perform a speed test, use fast.com which helps you measure your networks’ upload and download bandwidth. HBO Max requires a minimum of 5 Mbps for seamless streaming. If it shows a slower speed, reboot your router or cable modem. Turn off your router for 60 seconds and then restart it to see if it fixes the speed.
If you’re still having the same issue, maybe change the location of your wireless router. Try moving it to the place that’s more open or where you get signals easily. You can also directly connect the router to your streaming device like smart TV, set-top box, or game console.
One of the easiest troubleshooting to do to check your internet is to use the internet on a different device. Like if HBO Max is not working on your iPad, try using it on your phone. If it’s still not working there might be a local network outage, in that case, contact your internet provider.
On a few occasions, you might encounter an HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) error. This usually occurs when you use HBO Max on your game console or set-top box. Make sure all cables connecting your box to your TV are connected properly in that case.
Clear your device’s app cache
If HBO Max is working on a different device but not on the one you want to use and you have an active internet connection on that device, then the error might be due to software on that device. If the issue still persists after a restart, you might have a problem with the app’s cache.
Cache and cookies are temporary data used by your browser to load websites faster. Sometimes this temporary data accumulates and slows the loading time.
If you are using an Android device, follow these steps clear the cache with a few taps. Steps might vary depending on the device you’re using.
- Go to the Settings of your device
- Tap Apps & Notifications. Go to the list of apps and tap on HBO Max
- Tap Storage & cache. Then tap Clear cache.
If you’re using an iPhone, you can’t clear the app’s cache instead uninstall the app and reinstall it from the App Store. However, on a few versions of iPhone and iPad, tap on the Menu button in the HBO Max app and tap “Clear temporary files” on the Settings page.
If you’re using a web browser to stream on HBO Max. Follow the steps below to clear your browsing data:
- Click on the menu button on the top right, the one with the three dots vertically placed.
- Hover the cursor on ‘More Tools’ from the drop-down
- Click on Clear Browsing Data
- Select the ‘All time’ option from the dropbox ‘Time range’
- Select clear data.
Once done, go back to HBO Max and check if the error message still persists.
Try Watching Another Show
You might be experiencing a “Can’t Connect” error message on a particular movie or a TV show you’re watching on HBO Max. In that case try watching another show, as there might be a temporary error in the show you’re trying to watch. It is suggested to play random shows from the media library to check if the error message occurs.
If the other shows playing fine, this means the issue is with that particular title. You can report this matter to the HBO Max support center. There’s nothing else you can do about it.
Check If Your Device Is Supported
HBO Max requires you to have a compatible streaming device to avoid any errors. If you are not sure your current device is compatible or not, please visit the Help Center. Check their list of compatible devices. If your device is not compatible with HBO Max, try to check if you own any other devices which are compatible with the platform. You can also access HBO Max through any web browser or upgrade your device if you have the budget.
Re-Login to Your Account
Sometimes your account data gets corrupted whenever HBO Max’s servers go down or when there’s a bug or glitch in the app. In that case, it is suggested to end your current log-in session and after a few minutes re-login to your account. Follow these steps to do so on your mobile devices:
- Go to the HBO Max app on your phone and access your Profile.
- Tap on the Gear icon to open the Settings.
- Now, press the Sign Out button at the bottom of the page. This will close your current session and log you out.
Follow the below steps if you’re using HBO Max on your browser:
- Visit HBO Max’s website on your browser.
- Now, click on your Profile icon to access the Account Menu.
- Then, click the Sign Out button to log out of your account.
After signing out, wait for a few seconds and then log back into your HBO Max account. Now use HBO Max for a few minutes to check if the “Can’t connect” error message still persists.
If you have forgotten your email or password contact HBO Max support or simply click on the reset password option.
Turn Off VPN
VPNs are great for protecting your network and allow you to bypass regional restrictions set by your ISP. Some VPNs don’t work efficiently which often gets in the way of streaming applications such as Netflix, HBO Max, and Hulu. If your connection is slow VPNs can cause further delays and bugs. Make sure to disable your VPN to avoid errors like “Can’t connect” on HBO Max.
However, if you’re using HBO Max outside the US we suggest you use a reliable VPN that can keep your network fast and helps you stream without any glitches.
Run Malwarebytes
When you’re using HBO Max on a web browser, error messages can indicate that your device is facing malware or other viruses. Such viruses can hinder your browser’s performance and consume your system resources and bandwidth.
You can use any third-party software to run a malware check. We suggest you download Malwarebytes on your device. It will inspect your system for the infected files and automatically remove them during the process.
Clear HBO Max App Data
If you’re using HBO Max on Android, try to clear its app data to get rid of any corrupted files. Follow these steps to clear HBO Max’s app data on your Android device:
- Go to the Settings app from the home screen of your Android device.
- Then, go to the Apps and tap on HBO Max.
- Finally, go to the Storage tab. Then, tap the Clear Data button.
After clearing the app data, re-login to your HBO Max account and check if the error still occurs.
Update HBO Max App
HBO Max often releases updates to ensure that the app runs smoothly without any errors. Make sure to have the latest version of the app on your device. If you encounter any error messages on HBO Max, try to look if there’s an update available to fix the error. Follow the below steps to update HBO Max on Android:
- Go to the Google Play Store on your phone.
- Tap on your Profile and go to My Apps & Games.
- Now, locate HBO Max and tap the Update button.
Follow the guidelines below to update HBO Max on your iOS device:
- Go to the App Store from your Home Screen.
- Now, go to your Profile and locate the HBO Max app.
- Then, tap the Update button to get the latest version of HBO Max.
If you are using Set-top boxes, Android TVs, and similar devices, visit Help Center to learn how to update HBO Max. Once the app is updated, open HBO Max to check if it’s working.
Reinstall HBO Max
If you’re still getting a “Can’t connect” error after an update, try reinstalling HBO Max on your device. Sometimes installed files get corrupted when the servers go down or during an update fail. Reinstalling HBO Max would ensure that you have working files on your device.
Follow the steps below to reinstall HBO Max on Android:
- Go to the application drawer and locate the HBO Max app.
- Then, press and hold its app icon until the options menu or a cross sign shows up.
- Now, tap the Uninstall button or cross sign to delete HBO Max.
- Finally, go to the Google Play Store on your device.
- Re-install HBO Max.
Follow the steps below to reinstall HBO Max on your iOS device:
- Press and hold HBO Max’s app icon on your Home Screen to access the selection menu.
- Now, tap on Remove App.
- Then, open the App Store on your device
- Re-install HBO Max from there.
If you are using Smart TVs, Consoles, or Set-top boxes, please visit the Help Center for the guidelines to reinstall HBO Max.
After reinstalling HBO Max, play a few shows to check if the error message still occurs.
Report the Problem to HBO Max
If none of the above solutions works, we suggest you to HBO Max’s Help Center. Your account might be facing some severe issues which need attention from HBO Max’s team. Report your problem to customer care. Include the details of your account and a screenshot of the error you’re facing, this will help them to solve your problem quickly
If you have questions or other concerns, please let us know in the comment section, and we’ll do our best to answer them.