Is your HBO Max slow? Fear not, there are some simple solutions that can help improve the speed and performance.
We hate when you sit down to watch a show and HBO Max is either slow through the menus or the playback is slow and choppy.
Our guide looks at what causes this issue and how to fix it.
Why is HBO Max so slow?
The main cause of HBO Max being so slow is likely either a software or internet connection problem.
Are you running the most up-to-date HBO Max version and is your HBO Max account properly logged in and connected?
Here are some tips on how to make stop HBO Max from being slow:
- Check the Server Status of HBO Max
- Restart the HBO Max app
- Sign out of the HBO Max app
- Soft Reset your Streaming Source Device
- Reset your Router
- 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
- Contact the HBO Max app Support
Scroll down to follow a more detailed guide on how to work through these steps and stop the HBO Max app from being so slow.
How to stop the HBO Max app from being slow
Method 1: Check to make sure HBO Max servers are operational
When HBO Max is buffering or acting slow, most of the issues will usually be with your network or streaming device.
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.
Method 2: Restart the HBO Max app
It is a good idea to restart the HBO Max app if you are experiencing slow performance.
By restarting the HBO Max app, you give the opportunity for any updates to be correctly installed and establish a new connection with the HBO Max servers.
Method 3: Sign out of the HBO Max app
Another potential quick fix to HBO Max being so slow is to sign out of your account.
By signing out of your HBO Max account before your return and logging in, you may resolve any account-related issues that are causing the slowness 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 HBO Max, Firestick, or Roku
- Games Consoles such as PlayStation and XBOX
- A PC or MacBook Laptop
The first step in trying to eliminate the slow HBO Max app performance is to perform a power cycle on these systems.
To perform a power cycle of the devices, simply unplug them for 60 seconds before plugging them back in.
This restart allows any updates that have been downloaded in the background to successfully install and start, and it also clears the system cache.
Clearing the system cache and any lingering apps running in RAM can help in increasing the speed of the HBO Max app.
By reducing the number of apps running in the background, you have the best chance of stopping HBO Max from being slow
Method 5: Reset your Router
This is one of the oldest tricks in the book, but it is definitely effective in reducing the slowness of the HBO Max app.
How do I reset my router?
The easiest way to reset your router is to simply 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 reduce the HBO Max app being so slow?
Think of all the devices that are and have been connected to the router. I’m sure that in today’s digital world that quite a few devices are connected to the router.
Your router functions similarly to a mini-PC and will slow down as more duties are added.
Having all of those devices connected will reduce the bandwidth available to the HBO Max app and subsequently throttle your download speed, which in turn creates slow playback.
Method 6: Update your HBO Max app
If you are streaming HBO Max using a device such as a Firestick, Roku or smart TV then I would recommend that you update the app if possible.
Method 7: 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 that you can disconnect from your internet connection will help in stopping the HBO Max app is so slow.
Method 8: 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 be slow?
Imagine your internet connection to your HBO Max application like an artery in your body. The more games and apps that are running are like blockages in your arteries, sorry for the weird analogy!
Those blockages impede your ability to stream content faster, and then that results in the HBO Max app is slow.
Method 9: 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 that you stream, the more likely it is that slow playback will occur.
Try and decrease the video quality, especially if you have the quality set to 4K.
Method 10: 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 in preventing 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 firmware installation could cause the HBO Max app to be slow.
Ensuring that you have the latest software on your devices also gives you access to new apps and an improved viewing experience.
Method 11: Use an Ethernet cable rather than Wi-Fi
It is almost always true that when you use an Ethernet (Wired Connection) rather than Wi-Fi, you will get a better download speed.
Wired connections transmit data quicker and with less interference. There are also fewer variables that 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 to be slow.
When a wired connection is available, I always use it, and you should as well!
Method 12: Disable any Ad blockers or VPNs
VPNs and Ad blockers can cause HBO Max to be slow.
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, by using a VPN, you are creating another dependency that can cause HBO Max to be slow.
Method 13: 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 14: 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 slowness problems.
If you have consistently upgraded your internet speed through your ISP but are still using an older router, you may wish to check what the maximum download speed of your router is.
It’s all good having a 1gbps connection, but if your router can only download at 100mbps, then you’ve got a massive bottleneck and a solid explanation for why the HBO Max app is so slow.
Method 15: Contact HBO Max Support
If you have tried all the tips above and nothing has worked, you can contact HBO Max app support for further assistance.
Conclusion
If you have followed the guide, then you would have been successful in stopping the HBO Max app from acting slowly.
We hope that you enjoy faster streaming.
