We have all at one point in time gone online to search for our favorite movies. From shows like “Game of Thrones” to movies like “Elvis”, the internet has provided a wide array of mind-blowing movies for us to sate our movie cravings. And one of the ways we watch movies online is through movie channels. HBO Max is one such channel.let us know Why Does HBO Max Buffer So Much?
However, most movie lovers face the issue of video buffering, when streaming on movie channels. HBO Max faces this issue also, if not more so than other platforms. Buffering, in this context, is when a streaming platform must download an amount of the movie data before it can play. This is a serious issue and a lot of users are experiencing it on HBO Max.
The question we aim to answer in this article is Why Does HBO Max Buffer So Much?We will also talk about how to fix it if you are facing this issue.
Why Does HBO Max Buffer So Much?
HBO Max buffers many times because of low device memory, the Wi-Fi connection being too slow, glitches on the app, and so much more. Other times, the problem could also be a result of an error on the part of the company. HBO Max having a technical issue can cause buffering. Using a VPN can also cause buffering because a proxy slows your connection speed. Below, we will talk about the causes of buffering on HBO Max and how we can solve them alongside.
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Slow Internet Connectivity And Speed
We must have a high-speed and stable connection when we want to stream movies online. Failure to meet these demands means one would face buffering, regardless of the platform. HBO Max will lag if your internet connection is sluggish or the signal strength is weak.
If the signal strength is the issue, you can solve that by just adjusting the position of your device or your Wi-Fi router.
But it is a different ball game if the issue is the Wi-Fi speed. HBO Max needs an internet connection having at least, 5mbps speed. You need this if you want to watch HD content without experiencing buffering. So, make sure you have at least this speed. There are online testers that can help you check the speed.
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Overloaded Bandwidth
Every streaming channel needs adequate bandwidth for them to run smoothly. Bandwidth differs from internet speed. See it this way, imagine a road with four lanes, and they are all filled up with vehicles, it is safe to say no one is going to leave there quickly. This is what happens when you are performing other intensive activities on your network while trying to stream HBO Max content. So, doing things like downloading other content, playing games online, and still streaming HBO Max content on the same network can effectively decrease the bandwidth available and thereby cause buffering.
So, when this is the issue, cut off every other connection to your network and try streaming HBO Max content alone. This should remove the buffering problem.
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HBO Max Servers Crash
Every movie streaming channel hit a roadblock eventually at some point in time.
Why Does HBO Max Buffer So Much?
This is caused by issues that arise from hosting servers. HBO Max also experiences this and this can affect your streaming episodes. So, if there is a server crash or they are on maintenance, you will experience a lot of video buffering. Sometimes, the video will not even load at all. And after a while, an error message will be displayed on the screen.
The Downdetector page on HBO Max can help you confirm if this is truly the issue. The channel informs users of server status regularly. Sadly, this issue isn’t one quickly fixed. We would have to wait till the server crash is fixed or the maintenance is done. You may be notified by HBO Max when the issue is fixed. Then, after some hours, you can check to see if the buffering is still there.
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Too Many Devices Accessing One Account
HBO Max will experience a lot of buffering when an account has a lot of devices connected to it. Sure, HBO Max doesn’t impose any limit on the number of devices that can access an account, but playback issues can occur due to the overload. The problem is temporary and can be easily fixed by logging out of all the accounts.
To do that, click the profile icon and go to the settings tab. You shouldn’t log in to the account on any device for at least four hours. The reason for this is that it takes some time for all the accounts to be logged out.
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Out-of-date App or Device Software
To ensure smooth streaming, you must update your app and device regularly. HBO Max may begin to glitch if your device software is outdated. This happens because the app would be incompatible with the version of the software. So that you don’t suffer buffering issues, update your device’s software.
Sometimes though, the issue might be the app itself. The app would not work well if there has been a pending update for a while. So, update your app as new features are released. Newer versions would not have the bugs and errors in the older versions. So, if the app or device status was the issue, and you update them, your buffering problem should vanish and your streaming begins to run seamlessly. So, ensure you have the updated versions of the app and your device always.
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Browser Issues
HBO Max works well with a wide range of browsers like Firefox, Safari, Brave, and many more. However, the browser used may experience some glitches and causes videos to buffer. So, when the browser is the issue, you can switch to another browser.
So, we’ve seen why HBO Max buffers so much and the steps we can take to fix the issues. However, the sad truth is that these solutions may not always work. Now, we’ll discuss some steps we can take to permanently fix the buffering problem.
Fixing The Buffering Issue Permanently
When all is said and done, the solutions proffered above might not always be enough. We’ll discuss some ways to permanently fix the issue below.
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We Can Download The Video
There is an option for offline play on HBO Max. So, you can just go this way if you’re tired of the buffering. Sadly, this option is only found in Android and IOS devices. Also, the content will automatically be deleted in a month if not watched. The content can be accessed by going to the downloads tab under the profile section.
Also, note that once you start watching the video, you have to finish in under 48 hours, or else it would expire.
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Switch To Another Streaming Platform
After trying out the other solutions, the buffering issue may still be present. And HBO Max may not still be able to fix the problem. Your best bet is just to switch to another streaming platform.
Netflix and Hulu are some of the other platforms you can use. And even better, you can find some HBO Max content on these platforms. You will not find HBO originals on the other platforms though,
How Long To Fix The Buffering Problem?
The solution can take some minutes to days. It all depends on the underlying cause.
If the issue is an internet or Wi-Fi connection, that can be fixed in just a few minutes by just adjusting the position of the device or router.
Fixing server crashes could take a few hours to a day, at most. If it takes more, reach out to HBO Max customer service.
So, the time to fix the buffering varies, based on the reason behind it.
Conclusion
Why Does HBO Max Buffer So Much?HBO Max is one of the most popular streaming channels, and it offers top-quality TV shows and movies. The channel is available across a wide range of gadgets: Android phones, Cable Tv, computers, and so on.
And in this article, we have discussed why HBO Max buffers so much and how to fix the issue. Server crashes, slow internet, and Wi-Fi connection, outdated apps or device software, and browser problems are a few of the major causes of HBO Max buffering.
On the off chance the solutions provided don’t work, you can reach out to customer service, download the content, or just switch to another streaming channel to prevent unnecessary expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What Shows Are There On HBO Max?
You can find shows like “House of The Dragon”, a prequel to the celebrated series Game of Thrones, and “Harley Quinn”, a show about the former joker’s henchwoman finding her feet in Gotham. These shows and more, you’ll find on HBO Max.
- Can HBO Max Be Cancelled?
Yes, you can cancel your HBO Max subscription. Do it one or two days before it auto-renews. Note that the subscription isn’t canceled by deleting the app.
- Is It Possible to pause your HBO Max Subscription?
It is possible to pause your subscription, for up to three months.
