How to Fix: HBO Max Not Working on PS4
Experiencing technical difficulties with streaming platforms after a long day can really get you feeling annoyed.
As of lately, several reports have been placed by PS4 users that the HBO Max app is not working properly on their console.
Besides for the HBO Max app, several different reports regarding other streaming services such as Netflix or Paramount Plus have been placed, but luckily - there are things that you can do to fix this issue in under a few minutes.
Even though the HBO Max app for mobile phones is developed immaculately, apparently, issues seem to be happening with the HBO Max app for PS4 and PS5 consoles.
Therefore, if you’re one of the unlucky users that are experiencing issues with the HBO Max app on your PS console, check out the steps below to fix the issue and get back to binging on your favorite TV show.
How do I fix the HBO Max app not working on my PS console?
Since we can’t say for sure what is causing the app to act out, several different possible fixes will be listed below.
HBO Max Servers
One of the most common causes for the HBO Max to stop functioning properly is issues with HBO’s servers.
If there’s something going on with the servers, issues such as the app not working can surely happen.
To make sure the issue is not on your end, you can use one of the many third-party websites to check the status on HBO’s servers.
We recommend using Downdetector, where you can check the activity of the servers, and if anything unusual seems to be happening through the course of the past few hours - you have your answer, don’t worry - the issue is not on your end.
Note: Issues with the servers can cause the app to stop working on all other streaming devices - Smart TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV etc.
Playing another title
If the one title you were planning on watching seems to be getting stuck and doesn’t want to start playing, try a random different title, just to make sure there’s not some minor glitch with the title you’ve chosen.
If any other title you try to play seems to be functioning perfectly, go to the following step to try and fix the one you want to watch.
Log out and log back into your HBO Max account
Due to the fact that HBO Max has millions of subscribers, and a big percent of those are using HBO Max on a daily basis, bugs and errors are bound to happen every once in a while.
However, the best and fastest method to reboot the app on your console is logging out and logging back in to fix the HBO Max issue.
This will reconnect your console to HBO’s servers, and might help you get rid of the problem you’re experiencing.
If the app is stuck for some reason and you can’t proceed to do so from the console, you can log out using a web browser:
- From a web browser, open the HBO Max website and log into your account.
- Next, open your ‘Profile’, and click on ‘Manage Devices’.
- Find the PS4 device on the list, and click on ‘Sign Out’.
Note: After logging out, wait for a couple of minutes before signing back in. This will give the console some time to reconnect to HBO’s servers, and you’ll also avoid experiencing the same issue you had in the first place.
Check your Network Connection
As all other streaming services, HBO Max needs a minimum of 5Mbps in order to be able to stream shows in HD, without lagging and other technical issues.
Hence, if your internet speed is lower than the minimum required speed, this may be causing the app to not function properly.
To double-check, you can use one of many third-party websites that check the status of your Internet connection, we recommend using Speedtest.
If your Internet connection is weak, you can restart the router to reboot the connection. Wait for a couple of minutes before turning it back on, and then open the HBO Max app to check if the issue has been resolved.
Having VPN turned on
VPN (Virtual Private Network) connections can surely be useful, but at times, they cause issues such as this one.
If you’re using a VPN connection at all times, try turning it off for a couple of minutes, try launching the HBO app and play a title to make sure this is not causing the problem with titles not playing.
Additionally, you can disable the VPN at the router level by following these steps:
- You need to get to your router’s gateway, which is usually 192.158.1.1, but based on different configurations, this may not be the case.
- Find the ‘VPN’ or ‘VPN Service’ section, and click on the button to disable it.
Restarting the PS4 or PS5 console
As simple as it may sound, all gadgets need a reboot from time to time. This will bring the entire system back up, and might help fix all minor glitches, such as this one.
To restart a PS4, follow these steps:
- Open the ‘Home Screen’ on your PS4, and go to the ‘Power’ section.
- Select ‘Power Options’.
- Navigate to the ‘Restart PS4’ and click on either X or O to confirm.
