When you are trying to watch the latest TV shows or movies and have issues, you may ask yourself, “Why does HBO Max keep buffering?”
We have made a guide that can assist you by providing simple tips to improve your streaming quality.
Why does HBO Max keep buffering?
The cause of HBO Max buffering is likely caused by inefficient internet bandwidth optimization.
HBO Max will lag or buffer when streaming content when your internet bandwidth is not optimized.
You can increase your ability to reduce buffering when viewing the HBO Max app in several ways.
Here are some tips on how to make stop HBO Max Buffering:
- Reset your router
- Restart the HBO Max app
- Sign out of the HBO Max app
- Soft Reset your Streaming Source Device
- Update your HBO Max and your streaming device
- Disconnect other devices in your home from the internet
- Decrease Video Streaming Quality
- Close any other apps that are running
- Use an Ethernet cable rather than a Wi-Fi
- Upgrade your Internet Connection
- Disable VPNs or Ad blockers
- Upgrade your Router
- Check the HBO server status
- Contact the HBO Max app Support
How to stop the HBO Max app Buffering
Method 1: Reset your Router
This is one of the book’s oldest tricks, but it effectively reduces the buffering on the HBO Max app.
How do I reset my router?
The easiest way to reset your router is to unplug it from the wall socket for 30 seconds before plugging it back in.
This action will “power-cycle” your router and provide more bandwidth to increase your ability to stream content faster on the HBO Max app.
Why does resetting your router reduces the HBO Max app Buffering?
Think of all the devices that are and have been connected to the router. I’m sure that in today’s digital world quite a few devices are connected to the router.
Your router is like a mini-PC and will slow down as more tasks are added.
Having all of those devices connected will reduce the bandwidth available to the HBO Max app and subsequently throttle your download speed, creating buffering.
Method 2: Restart the HBO Max app
Restarting the HBO Max app if you are experiencing buffering issues is a good idea.
Restarting the HBO Max app allows any updates to correctly install and establish a new connection with the HBO Max servers.
Method 3: Sign out of the HBO Max app
Another potential quick fix to the HBO Max buffering problem is to sign out of your account.
By signing out of your HBO Max account before your return and log in, you may resolve any account-related issues that are causing the buffering problems to occur.
Method 4: Restart your Streaming Source Device
To access the HBO Max app, you will be using a streaming device to access the app.
The most common streaming devices for the HBO Max app are:
- Smart TVs
- Streaming Stick such as Apple TV, Firestick, or Roku
- Games Consoles such as PlayStation and XBOX
- A PC or MacBook Laptop
The universal recommendation for these devices and the first step in eliminating the HBO Max app buffering issues is to perform a power cycle of these systems.
To perform a power cycle of the devices, unplug them for 60 seconds before plugging them back in.
This restart allows any updates downloaded in the background to install and start successfully and clears the system cache.
Clearing the system cache and any lingering apps running in RAM can help reduce the buffering on the HBO Max app.
Reducing the number of apps running in the background gives the HBO Max app the best performance.
Method 5: Update your HBO Max app
If you are streaming HBO Max using a device such as a Firestick, Roku or smart TV, I recommend updating the app if possible.
Method 6: Disconnect other devices in your home from the internet
If you cannot reset your router for any reason, I would try and disconnect none essential devices from the internet.
Is someone in your home watching Netflix? What about your phone? Is someone downloading games or apps on XBOX?
Every device you can disconnect from your internet connection will help stop the HBO Max app buffering issues.
Method 7: Close any apps that are running
If you have followed our first step of restarting your streaming device, then this step would have been completed for you, otherwise, please continue to close any running apps.
How does having open apps cause the HBO Max app to buffer?
Imagine your internet connection to your HBO Max application like an artery in your body. The more games and apps running are like blockages in your arteries. Sorry for the weird analogy!
Those blockages impede your ability to stream content faster, resulting in buffering when watching the HBO Max app.
Method 8: Decrease Video Quality
Check in the HBO Max app options when watching content if there is a toggle for video quality.
The higher the quality of content you stream, the more likely buffering will occur.
Try to decrease the video quality, especially if the quality is set to 4K.
Method 9: Update your streaming device software/firmware before downloading
Whether you are using a TV, Streaming Stick, or Games console, updating your firmware or software to the latest version can help prevent issues from arising over time.
Sometimes updates can be missed, or an installation can be interrupted and cause issues with your streaming device.
Old firmware or a partial installation could cause the HBO Max app to buffer.
Ensuring you have the latest software on your devices also gives you access to new apps and an improved viewing experience.
Method 10: Use an Ethernet cable rather than Wi-Fi
It is almost always true that you will get a better download speed when you use an Ethernet (Wired Connection) rather than Wi-Fi.
Wired connections transmit data quicker and with less interference. Fewer variables can hinder the quality of connection.
Wi-Fi connections are slower and generally have a slower response time.
The distance from your streaming device, along with the walls, floor, and ceilings, can all deteriorate the quality of your internet connection, causing the HBO Max app buffering issues.
I always use a wired connection when available, and you should too!
Method 11: Disable any Ad blockers or VPNs
VPNs and Ad blockers can negatively affect the streaming performance of the HBO Max app.
Your connection to a VPN will always limit the speed at which you can stream content.
We understand that using a VPN can be a sensible choice, especially due to privacy concerns.
Unfortunately, using a VPN creates another dependency that can cause HBO Max buffering if there are any problems or limited speed.
Method 12: Upgrade your Internet Connection
Not everyone has access to high download speed through their ISP (Internet Service Provider), but for those that do, consider upgrading your internet connection.
It is pretty straightforward that a 100mbps connection will have a slower download rate than a 1gbps connection.
Method 13: Upgrade your Router
This option will not apply to everyone, but for some gamers, the router could be the bottleneck in their home network, causing the HBO Max app buffering problems.
If you have consistently upgraded your internet speed through your ISP but are still using an older router, you may wish to check your router’s maximum download speed.
It’s all good having a 1gbps connection, but if your router can only download at 100mbps, you’ve got a massive bottleneck and a solid explanation as to why the HBO Max app is buffering.
Method 14: Check to make sure HBO Max servers are operational
Most issues will be with your network or streaming device when HBO Max keeps buffering.
Before you go into the other fixes listed below, it is worthwhile to check that there are no issues or outages with the HBO Max platform.
You can check the current status of the HBO Max servers and if they are operating correctly, then you can start to narrow down the cause of the buffering to your setup.
Method 15: Contact HBO Max Support
If you have tried all the tips above and nothing has worked, you can contact the HBO Max app support for further assistance.
Conclusion
If you followed the guide, you would have successfully reduced the buffering of the HBO Max app on your streaming device.
We hope that you enjoy buffer-free streaming.