HBO MAX is a well-known and beloved name among entertainment enthusiasts worldwide. Samsung has made it easy for its smart TV users to download this popular streaming app, providing them with a seamless experience.
Unfortunately, if you are a Samsung TV user, you may have encountered difficulty accessing the HBO Max app or streaming content. Specifically, the HBO Max app may have stopped working on your Samsung TV.
This is a common issue that many Samsung TV users have experienced. However, fear not; I will discuss the causes of this issue and the steps you should take to fix it.
HBO Max is not working on your Samsung TV because,
The HBO Max app or your TV’s firmware is outdated, your internet connection is either poor, or the HBO Max server is down. Aside from these, incompatibility with current firmware or a TV’s temporary system glitch can also trigger this issue.
However, the following are the main culprit Samsung TV HBO Max app not working:
- HBO Max app and TV’s firmware version are outdated.
- HBO Max server is down, or the internet connection is poor.
- HBO max app is either crashed or incompatible with the TV’s firmware version.
- TV is experiencing a temporary system glitch.
To troubleshoot the HBO Max if it is not working on your Samsung TV,
Make sure that your internet connection is stable and that both the HBO Max app and your TV’s firmware are up to date. If these are in order, power reboot your TV.
Look at the following data table; you will get a short overview of this issue.
Reasons | Solutions |
Outdated TV firmware | Update the firmware on your TV |
Outdated HBO Max software version | Update the HBO Max app on your device |
Poor internet connection | Check and improve your internet connection |
TV or app temporary glitch | Restart your TV and the HBO Max app |
Step 1: Try restarting your TV
Though this sounds silly, believe me, I am not joking. Almost 87% of Samsung TV users who experienced this issue claimed that just restarting their TV fixed the issue magically.
As I said earlier, a temporary system glitch is the primary reason for this issue. A system restart turns off the device completely and then reboots its firmware files to work more efficiently.
Press and hold the power button on your remote until the TV turns off and back on. Then again, power off your TV, unplug the power cable from the outlet and wait at least 60 seconds. In the meantime, press and hold the physical power button of your TV for about 30 seconds. Once done, re-plug your TV.
Note: This method doesn’t always work, but it’s worth a shot! Who knows? It might work for you.
Step 2: Restart your router and ensure your internet connection is working properly.
If restarting does not resolve the issue, check your internet connection. Many HBO Max users have reported difficulty loading the app on their Samsung TVs, with the software hanging during the loading process.
This issue is often caused by a slow internet connection. To determine if this is the case, you can use a Speed-Testing tool to check your internet speed. If the results indicate a slow connection, restart your router and contact your internet service provider.
Unplug the router from the power source for 15 seconds and then plug it back in. If your internet speed is adequate, but HBO Max is still not working on your Samsung TV, move on to the next step.
Note: Slow internet connection, as well as an outdated version of the app or insufficient storage space on your device, can cause HBO Max to crash frequently.
Step 3: Clean up storage space on your TV by clearing the app cache.
When you use an app, it collects unnecessary cache data on your device, which needs to be cleaned every week or every several days. If you don’t clear your device’s app cache data for a long time, it will cause different problems, including the app not loading or constantly crashing issues!
However, here’s how to clean Samsung TV’s app cache data:
- First, press the “Home button” on your TV’s remote.
- Then go to “Settings.“
- Select “Apps“
- Go to the “System apps.“
- Now, choose the app you want to clear the cache with.
- Tap on the “Clear cache” option.
- Finally, tap “OK” to confirm.
This will clear the cache data and free up the storage. Now reboot your TV again and check if you can use HBO Max.
Step 4: Uninstall and then reinstall the apps again
You may have a corrupted version of HBO Max installed on your smart TV. In this case, uninstalling and reinstalling the app from your smart home store will be an excellent way to troubleshoot and help fix crashes, bugs, and other performance issues.
Here’s how to do this:
- Go to your TV’s home screen and then find the HBO Max app.
- Then, go to Apps in the upper right corner and click the Settings icon.
- After that, select HBO Max and then click on “Delete.” (You’ll have to press the Delete button twice.)
- Now, turn off and on your Samsung TV.
- Return to the Apps menu and reinstall HBO Max from there.
Hopefully, uninstalling and reinstalling the app will fix the HBO Max not loading or crashing issue on your Samsung TV.
Step 5: Check if your TV is compatible with HBO Max.
This reminder is for those who haven’t tried HBO Max on their TV before and now, while installing it, are having this issue. If you are among those trying to get HBO Max on your Samsung TV, but it is not working, check if your TV is compatible with HBO Max.
As with any other streaming service, HBO Max won’t work on your Samsung TV if it doesn’t support the app or if its firmware version is higher or lower than your TV.
HBO Max will only work if your device is listed on the compatibility list. If not, you need to update your smart TV to a compatible version that supports HBO Max. Ensure you are running a supported version of the apps. Here’s the link to check if your TV supports HBO Max.
Step 6: Update your TV to a newer version.
If your TV is incompatible with HBO Max or its firmware is outdated, and there is a new update available, update it immediately. Updating your TV’s firmware is a quick and easy way to troubleshoot HBO Max crashing or not opening-related issues. This will remove all the previous corrupted system files and install the fresh version.
Here’s how to Update your TV’s firmware:
- Go to Settings.
- Select the Support option.
- Then, go to Software Update.
- Finally, select the Update Software option.
If an update is available, follow any prompts that appear to install it. Once you’ve completed these steps, your problem should be solved.
F.A.Q.s
Q. How do I install HBO Max on my Samsung TV?
Installing HBO Max on a Samsung smart TV is incredibly easy. Here’s how you can get HBO max on your TV:
- Open the Samsung Smart Hub and search for the HBO Max app.
- Now download and install the app on your TV.
- Open the HBO Max app. Once you’re in the app, select the “Start Your Free Trial” button.
- Follow the prompts to create a new HBO Max account or sign in with your existing account information.
That’s it! You can now start streaming your favorite HBO Max shows and movies.
Q. HBO Max sound is not working on my Samsung smart TV
If you’re having trouble getting sound to play on your HBO Max app, you can try a few things to fix the issue.
- First, make sure that the volume on your TV is turned up. If it’s turned down or muted, you won’t be able to hear anything.
- Next, try restarting the HBO Max app. Sometimes, the app can get stuck, and restarting it will fix the problem.
- If those two solutions don’t work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the HBO Max app. Sometimes, there can be a problem with the app itself that can be fixed by uninstalling and reinstalling it.
You may know that HBO Max doesn’t support audio output. But, if your TV and Samsung soundbar are both HDMI arc compatible, connect them via HDMI, which may fix the problem.

Abdul Kader is the CEO and founder of Homespoiler.com. With his expertise in electronics repair, he provides in-depth information on how to fix appliances, wiring, and other electrical-related issues. More about us