Frustrated with constant Can’t Play Title message on the screen or video playback issues on HBO Max?
You’re not alone.
Many users have reported encountering these problems while trying to enjoy their favorite shows and movies on the platform. But fear not, we’ve got you covered.
In this blog, we’ll explore the common causes of video playback problems on HBO Max and provide simple and effective solutions to get you back to streaming in no time.
So grab your popcorn and let’s dive in to troubleshoot and fix HBO Max video playback issues.
Why is HBO Max having trouble playing video?
There are several reasons why you may be experiencing video playback issues on HBO Max. Some common reasons include:
Poor internet connection: One of the most common causes of video playback issues is a poor or slow internet connection. If your connection is slow or unstable, you may experience buffering or video playback issues.
Outdated app: If you have an older version of the HBO Max app installed on your device, it may not be compatible with the latest version of the service. This can cause video playback issues.
Cache and cookies: Over time, the cache and cookies stored on your device can accumulate, which can cause issues with video playback. Clearing your cache and cookies can often resolve these issues.
Device compatibility: If you’re using an older device, it may not be compatible with HBO Max. Make sure your device meets the minimum system requirements for the service.
How to fix HBO Max having trouble playing video?
“Can’t Play Title” can be fixed by restarting the HBO Max and streaming device, clearing the cache and data of HBO Max app, troubleshooting your internet connection, updating your HBO Max app and device or resetting your device to factory settings.
Check for HBO Servers
The first thing you should do is, check if the HBO Max server is operational or not.
To check this, visit the official HBO status page and check the current status of the server. If the server is down, wait until it is back up and running.
But, if the servers are online and the issue persists on your HBO Max, move on to the following fixes.
Reboot HBO Max app and Device
If the server of HBO Max is online and operational but you’re still unable to play the video and getting the “Can’t Play Title, We’re having trouble playing this video. Please try again later” message on the screen, then you need to reboot your HBO Max app.
Sometimes simply restarting your device can resolve playback issues. To do so,
Close the HBO Max app
You can do this by pressing the Exit button (if you’re streaming on TV) or swiping up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle of the screen, then head to the HBO Max and swipe up to close.
Restart your device
- Once done, press and hold the Power button until a prompt appears to turn off the device, then turn it back on.
- Or, disconnect the Power cord from the outlet and wait for 60 seconds, then connect the Power cord back into the outlet and turn on your device.
Launch the HBO Max app
- Once your device is back on, you can launch the HBO Max app and see if the issue has been resolved.
If rebooting the app does not solve the issue, you can try
Check your internet connection
A slow, poor or unstable network connection can lead to such playback issues. So, make sure you have a strong and stable internet connection.
But first, ensure that your streaming device is connected to the internet connection and have all the Wi-Fi bars.
If your internet connection is slow or having a weak connection, try troubleshooting your modem or router.
To do so,
- Turn off and unplug the Adapter of your Router or modem from the outlet.
- Wait for 3-5 minutes.
- Next, plug the Adapter back into the outlet and turn on your Router or modem.
Afterward, connect your device with the internet connection, then launch the HBO Max and check if you’re still getting the “Can’ Play Title…..Please try again later” on the screen.
If the issue persists, try using the Ethernet connection. Connect it with your streaming device (TV/Desktop) and stream a content on HBO Max to see if this works for you.
Or,
You can try using your Smartphone Internet connection to stream the content on HBO Max. If you’re streaming HBO Max on devices such as Roku, Fire TV Stick, then connect your device with your smartphone internet.
All you need to do is, turn on the Hotspot on your phone and connect it with your device. Check if this resolves the issue.
Clear HBO Max Cache
The next thing you can do to fix HBO Max video playback issues is clearing the HBO Max app cache and data.
To clear the cache and data of HBO Max on your device, follow the below steps. Your device may have a different way of clearing the cache and data of an app.
- Open the Settings on your device.
- Then, head to the Storage or Apps & Notifications.
- Select Apps and locate HBO Max in the list.
- Next, select Clear Cache, then Clear Data.
Once you cleared the cache and data, launch the HBO Max app and check if this fixes the issue.
Note: If you’re using an iOS device, then there’s no such way to clear the HBO Max or any app cache and data. But, still you can fix the playback issues on your iOS devices. Keep following the given methods.
Update HBO Max app
You may encounter a video playback issue while streaming a content on HBO Max due to using an outdated version of HBO Max.
So, ensure to check that you have the latest version of the HBO Max app installed on your device. Updating the app can fix any bugs or compatibility issues.
You can check and update your HBO Max app version by following the steps below;
- Navigate to the Application Store on your Streaming device.
- Search HBO Max in the search bar.
- Check if there’s an Update button available next to the HBO Max, if there’s any, select it and update the HBO Max.
Update your Device Firmware
If you’re still getting the “Can’t Play Title…..Please try again later” on the HBO Max screen, it may be due to your device’s outdated firmware/software.
To check whether your streaming device’s firmware/software version is up-to-date or not, follow the steps below;
- Head to the Settings of your Device.
- Now, navigate to the Software or General section.
- Next, select the Software Update and, then select Check Now.
- Tap/Select the Update Now option (if available).
Stream HBO Max on another device
If you continue to experience issues, try playing the video on a different device. This help you determine if the problem is with your device or with HBO Max itself.
Factory Reset your Streaming Device
The next thing you can try is just factory reset your streaming device. Factory reset will fix minor issues and bugs. Follow these steps to factory reset your device:
- On the Home screen of your streaming device, go in the Settings.
- Scroll down and go into Device management.
- Now, select Factory Reset
- Select OK.
Contact HBO Support
If none of the above steps resolve the issue, you can contact HBO Max support for further assistance. They will be able to provide you with more specific troubleshooting steps based on your particular situation.
If this post helped you, then also check How to fix Black Screen on HBO Max?