HBO Max not working with a VPN? Here’s how to fix it

Ethan Payne
Ethan Payne | Writer
Last updated: May 2, 2023
HBO Max VPN not working
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HBO Max is home to some of the best TV shows like House of the Dragon and The Last of Us. Additionally, it includes the latest Warner Bros and DC Universe movies, such as Black Adam.

Unfortunately, the streaming service frustrates fans with its numerous geographical restrictions. And while a VPN for HBO Max can fix this, not every service is capable of it. Some are simply not suited for bypassing geo-blocks imposed by this platform.

Our extensive research has shown that not all VPNs unblock HBO Max, and even reputable ones sometimes encounter a roadblock. If you’re constantly getting HBO Max VPN errors as soon as you change the region, we understand your headache. But there’s no need to fret just yet, as there are several solutions to your problem, and alternative VPN services for unblocking your desired content, like NordVPN, now 63% off.

How to fix VPN not working with HBO Max

  1. Sign up for a thoroughly-tested HBO Max VPN. We stand by NordVPN, currently available for 63% off
  2. Download the VPN app on your favorite streaming device
  3. Connect to a server where your desired HBO content is available
  4. Check for IP leaks to ensure effective geo-block removal
  5. Tune into HBO Max without hassle!

Grab the best HBO Max VPN

Why is the VPN not working with HBO Max?

You’re likely familiar with the concept of geographical restrictions if you’re an HBO Max and VPN subscriber. It’s a frustrating problem that causes many movies and TV shows to be exclusive to specific countries. Luckily, the best VPNs for HBO Max can resolve these issues by rerouting your traffic through remote servers and granting you a foreign IP address.

Sadly, HBO Max isn’t too happy with how VPNs can bypass geo-blocking and undermine its efforts to comply with distribution obligations. Therefore, the service employs various methods to curb VPN users. The most common “solution” is blocking VPN server IP addresses.

HBO Max with NordVPN

Besides that, the problem can also lie on your end. For starters, a low-quality VPN provider won’t unblock HBO Max, no matter how hard you try. Additionally, a flawed connection leaking information won’t unearth the platform because your actual location is peeking through.

There are other likely causes behind your VPN not working with HBO Max. Whatever it is, you’ll need to try every possible solution. Or, consider snagging a tried and tested streaming VPN and forget about ever encountering issues while watching HBO Max (or any other platform).

Best VPNs that still work with HBO Max

The most substantial movie library is included in HBO Max’s USA library. That means you’ll have the best results with VPNs for the USA that have hundreds of American servers. After all, more IP addresses mean fewer chances of encountering a blocklisted one.

We’ve tested numerous VPN services to find which work with HBO Max and which don’t. Listed below are the finest VPN options for HBO Max. Try them out if they’re not on your radar.

  1. NordVPN – The ultimate VPN that works with HBO Max. It provides thousands of servers in the US and industry-leading connectivity with the one-of-a-kind NordLynx protocol. Besides that, the service will protect you against digital viruses and various privacy breaches.
  2. Surfshark VPN – An affordable and well-performing VPN service for sharing with friends. The provider permits protecting an unlimited number of devices, supports WireGuard-powered connections, and grants hundreds of US servers.
  3. PrivateVPN – The most budget-friendly method for unblocking HBO Max anywhere. It supports 10 simultaneous devices with one account and facilitates connections with the OpenVPN tunneling protocol.

Not sure how to combine your VPN service with HBO Max and your home entertainment system? Have a look at our detailed guides on how to watch HBO Max online.

HBO Max VPN not working: quick fixes

If you’re using a reputable VPN that’s supposed to work with HBO Max, but the platform still shows you errors, we have solutions for you. Best of all, these fixes are applicable when your VPN isn’t working with HBO Max or any other streaming platform. Try all of them to find out what was the underlying issue.

1. Check for IP leaks

A faulty VPN connection is unable to bypass geographical restrictions. Ensure everything is airtight using third-party tools like dnsleaktest.com. And check not only the IP address but DNS requests, too.

2. Clear the browser’s cache

Browser cookies from previous sessions can accidentally expose your actual location and prevent effective geo-block removal. Therefore, you should wipe them out to give yourself a better chance to unblock HBO Max. Another method is to use Incognito mode whenever you want to stream foreign TV.

3. Switch servers

You can suspect a blocked IP address if the previous steps didn’t help. Simply pick another server and refresh your streaming app or browser.

It’s important to note that blocked IP addresses occur when many users connect from the same one. You can avoid this issue using a VPN with dedicated IP addresses.

4. Try another tunneling protocol

Some online services block all VPN traffic instead of IP addresses. While this is an unlikely scenario when streaming HBO Max, switching to another tunneling protocol could do the trick. Additionally, the top VPN providers offer technologies specifically for bypassing VPN blocks.

5. Update your VPN software

Perhaps you’re not getting the desired results because your VPN app is outdated. Make sure it’s running the latest version. Consider reinstalling the software if it won’t update automatically.

6. Reset your HBO Max account password

HBO Max and other websites may interpret a constantly changing IP address as multiple people using your account. This can be considered a sign that someone hacked your account and is using it from abroad. Whatever the cause, the website locks you out until you reset your password.

7. Contact your VPN provider’s customer support

Contacting your VPN provider’s customer service experts is your last resort. They’ll know which servers are best suited for unblocking HBO Max anywhere. Plus, they’ll help troubleshoot any other issues with your connection or streaming setup.

8. Switch VPN providers

The situation is dire if  customer support couldn’t help. At this point you can be certain that your VPN provider doesn’t work with HBO Max. Therefore, you should switch to a more reliable service, such as NordVPN, the #1 VPN for HBO.

Watch HBO Max anywhere with NordVPN

Geographical restrictions won’t hold you back when you have NordVPN on your side. It provides blazing-fast connection speeds and loads of servers worldwide for unblocking coveted movies and TV shows. Use it for HBO Max, Netflix, and countless other streaming services.

9.6 /10
Thousands of US servers
4K-capable connection speeds
Excellent security features

How to fix HBO Max error codes 905, 100, 321

Streaming services often frustrate customers with unhelpful coded error messages. Sadly, HBO Max is no exception. The most common codes you’ll encounter are 905, 100, and 321. Here are some tips for resolving these error-related obstacles.

  1. Ensure that the HBO Max service isn’t down due to traffic overload. You can do so with services like downdetector.com.
  2. If you’re using the dedicated HBO Max app, make sure it’s up to date.
  3. Try disconnecting the VPN and then checking on HBO Max. You’ll need to switch to a different server or provider if the streaming platform works without the VPN.
  4. Always clear your device’s or browser’s cache and cookies. Restart the device to drive the point home.

Finally, the best way to find out the real cause behind these errors is to contact HBO customer support.

Conclusion

HBO Max is a popular streaming service with a vast library of exceptional movies and TV shows. Unfortunately, its geographical restrictions force customers to use VPNs to unblock the platform. Naturally, this situation can cause various problems and culminate in your VPN not working with HBO Max.

Our suggestions should help you troubleshoot issues and get back to your binge-watching streak. If they don’t, consider jumping ship for a top-notch HBO Max VPN, such as NordVPN.

How often do you encounter issues with VPNs and HBO Max? Is it easy to remedy those problems? Share your streaming hacks with your fellow fans by leaving a comment!

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You may also like to read:
How to fix Disney Plus not working with a VPN
How to fix BBC iPlayer not working with a VPN
How to fix Amazon Prime not working with a VPN
How to fix VPN not working on Android
How to fix World of Tanks lag


FAQ

Why doesn’t HBO Max work with my VPN?

Many variables can cause your VPN to not work with HBO Max. Potential issues include a blocked IP address, a leaky connection, browser cookies exposing your location, outdated software, or problems with your HBO Max account. You can try various quick fixes to resolve these obstacles.

What is the best VPN that works with HBO Max?

NordVPN is the best option for unblocking HBO Max anywhere. It has over 5700 servers across 60+ countries for accessing worldwide content. Furthermore, the lightning-fast NordLynx protocol ensures a lag-free streaming experience even when watching in UHD resolution. You can enjoy the many perks of this VPN on almost any device, thanks to SmartPlay.

Can I use a free VPN for HBO Max?

Although there are many reliable free VPNs with US servers, they aren’t optimized for HBO Max. To be precise, these freemium providers reserve content-unblocking capabilities for paying customers. Additionally, costless VPNs include other debilitating drawbacks like throttled connections, limited server variety, and subpar security features.

Is HBO Max region locked?

Yes, HBO Max is only available in the US and a handful of countries in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. You can find the complete list of supported countries on the official HBO Max website.

Is it legal to use a VPN with HBO Max?

Yes, it’s perfectly legal to use VPNs to unblock geographically restricted content. On the flip side, streaming platforms like HBO Max typically mention in their terms of service that location-altering software (e.g., virtual private networks) isn’t permitted. Luckily, they don’t impose serious restrictions on paying customers.

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