HBO Max loads slow, buffers, or pauses

Make sure you have the latest version of the HBO Max app:

• Android: Open the Play Store on your Android device and search for HBO Max. If an app update is available tap Update.
• iOS: Open the App Store on your Apple device and search for HBO Max. If an app update is available tap Update.

If you're using a cellular data connection, connect to a wireless network to see if playback is improved (go to Settings on your device to connect to a WiFi network).

If video frequently buffers or is poor quality, test your internet connection speed:

• Android: Download an internet speed test app from the Google Play Store and test your connection speed.
• iOS: Download an internet speed test app from the Apple App Store and test your connection speed.

To stream HD video, you need a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps.

If other people are using the same network, ask them to temporarily pause their activity. This will allocate as much bandwidth as possible for streaming HBO Max.

1. Turn off or unplug your phone or tablet with HBO Max.
2. Unplug the power from your network devices (modem, router, etc.).
3. Wait 30 seconds.
4. Reconnect the power to your modem and wait for it to connect to the internet (about a minute).
5. Reconnect the power to your router and wait for it to connect to the internet.
6. Turn on your phone or tablet. Then, open HBO Max and see if the problem is resolved.

Try streaming HBO Max on another supported device connected to the same network. This will help determine if the problem is related to your network or a specific device.

Make sure you're using a supported browser.

If your browser is supported, update your browser to the latest version. To find out how to do this, search the internet for 'update' + the name of your browser (i.e. update Chrome).

Test your internet connection to make sure you have a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps. To do this, open a browser and search for 'internet speed test.' If your download speed doesn't meet the minimum, contact your internet provider to troubleshoot your connection speed.

Try using a different supported browser. If videos play successfully with a different browser, check your browser configuration:

• Make sure third-party cookies are enabled.
• Disable ad-blocking software.
• Turn off private browsing or incognito mode.
• Disable browser plug-ins, extensions, and add-ons.

Close and reopen your browser, and then try playing a video again.

If other people are using the same network, ask them to temporarily pause their activity. This will allocate as much bandwidth as possible for streaming HBO Max.

Restart your computer and network devices. Here's how:

1. Close all apps and restart your computer.
2. Unplug the power from your network devices (modem, router, etc.).
3. Wait 30 seconds.
4. Reconnect the power to your modem and wait for it to connect to the internet (about a minute).
5. Reconnect the power to your router and wait for it to connect to the internet.
6. Turn on your computer, go to HBOMax.com, and play a video to see if the problem is resolved.

For the best performance, try using a wired connection with your computer. To do this, connect your computer to your router using an Ethernet cable.

Make sure the cables to your network devices (modem, router, etc.) are all tightly connected at both connection points. A loose coaxial or Ethernet cable can weaken the signal.

Make sure you have the latest version of HBO Max. To do this, open the app store on your device and search for HBO Max to see if an app update is available. If there's an app update available, choose download it.

If video frequently buffers or is poor quality, test your internet connection speed:

• Android TV: On your Android TV, go to Apps and download an internet speed test app to test your connection speed (or test your speed from a computer on the same network). To do this, open a browser on your computer and search for 'internet speed test.'
• Apple TV: On your Apple TV, download an internet speed test app to test your connection speed (or test your speed from a computer on the same network). To do this, open a browser on your computer and search for 'internet speed test.'
• Claro Box TV (Brazil only): Test your download speed from a computer on the same network as your Claro Box TV. To do this, open a browser on your computer and search for 'internet speed test.'
• LG Smart TV: Test your download speed from a computer on the same network as your LG TV. To do this, open a browser on your computer and search for 'internet speed test.'
• PlayStation console: On your PlayStation console, go to Settings > Network > Connection status (PS5 only) > Test Internet Connection.
• Roku: Press the Home button on your Roku remote, then go to Settings > Network > Check connection. To improve your wireless signal, see Improve your wireless Roku connection.
• Samsung TV: Test your download speed from a computer on the same network as your Samsung TV. To do this, open a browser on your computer and search for 'internet speed test.'
• Xbox console: Run the Xbox speed test. To find out how, see Xbox speed test.

To stream HD video, you need a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps.

If other people are using the same network, ask them to temporarily pause their activity. This will allocate as much bandwidth as possible for streaming HBO Max.

1. Turn off or unplug the device with HBO Max.
2. Unplug the power from your network devices (modem, router, etc.).
3. Wait 30 seconds.
4. Reconnect the power to your modem and wait for it to connect to the internet (about a minute).
5. Reconnect the power to your router and wait for it to connect to the internet.
6. Turn on the device with HBO Max and see if the problem is resolved.

Try streaming HBO Max on another supported device connected to the same network. This will help determine if the problem is related to your network or a specific device.

For the best performance, try connecting your streaming device to your router using an Ethernet cable (instead of using a wireless connection).

Make sure the cables to your network devices (modem, router, etc.) are all tightly connected at both connection points. A loose coaxial or Ethernet cable can weaken the signal.