When HBO Max keeps crashing it’s a massive irritation that impacts your ability to enjoy your favourite movies and shows.
In this post, we uncover why HBO Max keeps crashing and the potential fixes so that you can enjoy streaming again.
Why Does HBO Max Keep Crashing?
HBO Max keeps crashing due to an unoptimized home internet router or a potential software conflict.
Unfortunately, if you have not restarted your router in some time, the performance of your internet degrades, which can lead to HBO Max stuttering or crashing.
Also, is your software current, including the firmware for your streaming device and the HBO Max app itself?
Here are some tips on how to make stop HBO Max from crashing:
How to stop HBO Max when it keeps crashing
Method 1: Restart your Router
It would help if you consider restarting your router regularly, this is my go-to fix when HBO Max keeps crashing.
How do I reboot my router?
Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds before plugging it back in.
Why can restarting your router stop HBO Max from crashing?
Your router is like a PC, which will slow as more devices and tasks are added. Eventually, this leads to a degradation in performance that can result in HBO Max crashing.
Method 2: Restart the HBO Max app
Restart your HBO Max app completely when your run into crashing issues.
Restarting the HBO Max app will make a fresh internet connection with the HBO Max servers and allow any pending updates to install fully.
Method 3: Sign out of HBO Max
When HBO Max keeps crashing, sign out of your HBO Max account.
When you return and log in, check to see if the content can load without crashing.
Method 4: Restart your streaming device
Your streaming device will likely be a TV, streaming stick, games console or computer.
When you restart these devices, you can eliminate software conflicts that may cause HBO Max to keep crashing.
You can restart them by unplugging them for 60 seconds before plugging them back in.
Method 5: Update your HBO Max app or web browser
Whether using the HBO Max app or a web browser, you should ensure that these are updated to the latest software versions.
I also recommend experimenting with different web browsers if you use a computer to stream HBO Max.
Method 5a: Web browser users – reduce extensions
I have seen examples of web browser extensions increasing the likelihood of HBO Max crashing.
If your browser has many extensions installed, this will slow the browser performance and impact your streaming ability.
Try limiting your active extensions or using a different browser that is more lightweight, this will reduce your chances of experiencing crashing when viewing HBO Max.
Method 6: Update your streaming device
Please ensure your streaming device runs the latest firmware, software or OS when streaming.
Generally, newer system software will offer better performance and more features.
Older system software can cause HBO Max to crash when viewing content.
Method 7: Disconnect devices from the internet
The more devices you have connected to the router in your home, the more likely you are to experience HBO Max crashing issues.
Think of all the internet-connected devices you are not currently using, can you turn them off?
Having fewer devices connected will improve the amount of internet bandwidth that is available when streaming content online.
Method 8: Close any apps that are running
The more applications you run at any given time, the more likely you will experience crashes when streaming content.
How does having open apps cause the HBO Max app to crash?
Every app that you have open has the potential to cause a conflict with either your system or the internet connection required to access HBO Max.
Method 9: Use an Ethernet cable rather than Wi-Fi
Want a faster, more reliable internet connection? Use a wired (ethernet) connection rather than Wi-Fi.
Using an ethernet cable can help reduce crashing issues on HBO Max as it transmits data faster than Wi-Fi, and the connection is more stable.
Method 10: Improve your Wi-Fi connection (If you have to use it)
Wi-Fi connections are slower than their wired counterpart and generally will have a slower response time, all of which can lead your HBO Max to keep crashing.
There are things that you can do to improve your Wi-Fi connection.
Can you move your router closer to your streaming device?
Avoid as much interference between your streaming device and your router as possible. Consider objects such as walls, floors, and ceilings, which can contribute to an unstable internet connection.
You could also add Wi-Fi signal extenders to your home if moving your router is impractical.
Method 11: Disable any ad blockers or VPNs
Don’t neglect to review your use of a VPN or adblocker when HBO Max keeps crashing.
Generally, VPNs and adblockers do not play well when you are streaming content online.
Streaming providers are against using VPNs and adblockers, and their use creates another dependency that can cause issues.
Method 12: Upgrade your Internet Connection
If you have access to fast internet connections in the area in which you reside, it may be worth considering upgrading your internet connection.
A 10mbps connection will stream content slower than a 1gbps connection, could the HBO Max crashing issues be linked to the internet speed you have purchased?
Method 13: Upgrade your Router
Is your router causing a bottleneck on your home network, contributing to the HBO Max crashing problems?
If you have consistently upgraded your internet speed through your ISP but still use an older router, you may wish to check your 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 for why the HBO Max app is crashing.
Method 14: Check to make sure HBO Max servers are operational
Most issues will be with your network or playback device when HBO Max crashes.
Please check that there are no issues or outages with the HBO Max platform.
Method 15: Contact HBO Max Support
If, after following tour tips, HBO Max continues to crash, we recommend contacting HBO Max support.
Conclusion
When HBO Max keeps crashing, there is usually a configuration issue with your internet router or software.
I hope that these tips were able to resolve this issue for you.
Happy streaming!