The Best VPNs for HBO Max & How to Fix Your VPN Not Working

Since 2016, we’ve hand-tested 65 VPNs to find the most effective and consistent services for unblocking HBO Max.

We’ve discovered that 34 VPN services currently work with HBO Max. However, only two VPNs truly stood out for optimal performance. If you want a free VPN for HBO Max, we’ve also found an option that consistently works. You can compare our results in the table below:

1. ExpressVPN: Best VPN for HBO Max

Pros	Cons
Unblocks HBO Max on all US servers	Expensive short-term subscription
Fast and reliable international connections	Smart DNS only works with US HBO Max
Works with multiple international Max libraries
Well-designed and user-friendly apps
Apps available for Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, router, and more

ExpressVPN‘s US servers reliably unblocked HBO Max in all of our tests. Its other international servers also unblocked popular Max catalogs in Mexico, Brazil, Spain, and more.

Connecting to ExpressVPN’s servers across the globe, we measured an average download speed loss of just 15%. This makes it one of the best performing VPNs available — we didn’t experience a single buffering issue or loss of FPS.

Device compatibility and software usability are also areas where ExpressVPN shines. The VPN’s compatibility with such a wide range of streaming devices is remarkable; we found it particularly easy using ExpressVPN with Apple TV and on Fire TV Stick thanks to its bespoke apps.

To stream HBO Max on Roku, we used ExpressVPN’s exceptional (and unique) VPN router app, and on PlayStation and Xbox its Smart DNS solution called MediaStreamer.

The one downside of MediaStreamer is that you can only use it with US and UK streaming services, so it will only work with the American HBO Max library.

While it’s excellent for unblocking HBO Max, ExpressVPN is not cheap. It costs $6.67 per month on its long-term deal. If this is too expensive, consider using Surfshark, which is substantially cheaper.

2. Surfshark: Cheap VPN for HBO Max

Pros	Cons
Works to unblock HBO Max	Not every US server works with Max
Large US server network	Slower than ExpressVPN
Fast international speeds	Short-term subscriptions are expensive
Smart DNS works with Max
Budget long-term subscriptions

Surfshark works with HBO Max on most of its 25 US servers, but not all of them. Our tests show that the automatic US server location works consistently, so we recommend using that server in particular. Surfshark’s live chat support is also good at providing tailored server recommendations, so you can ask them rather than cycling through the VPN’s server list manually.

Although Surfshak is not as reliable as ExpressVPN for unblocking Max, it is an impressive budget alternative. Surfshark only costs $2.29 per month on its best price deal, which is significantly more affordable than ExpressVPN.

It’s not as fast as ExpressVPN, either, but it is still fast enough for seamless Max streaming with high FPS. Our speed tests revealed an average download speed loss 17% across Surfshark’s global network, which is a minor loss compared to your normal internet speeds.

As with ExpressVPN, Surfshark offers a selection of attractive apps across different devices, so you can stream Max on desktop, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, and Android TV. Its Smart DNS is also compatible with the US version of Max.

Furthermore, there is no limit on the number of devices you can install Surfshark on, whereas ExpressVPN imposes a simultaneous connection limit of 8.

3. Windscribe: Free VPN for HBO Max

Pros	Cons
Free VPN for HBO Max	10GB per month data cap
8 US city servers	Poor customer support
Fast international speeds
No device limit

There aren’t many safe free VPNs that can bypass HBO Max’s geo-blocks. The only standout is Windscribe, which has a free app that beats HBO’s VPN blocks relatively easily.

Although Windscribe Free VPNs work to unblock HBO Max from abroad, it is restricted by a 10GB monthly data cap, so your time streaming Max will be limited.

If Windscribe Free stops working with Max, we found that receiving customer support is slower than it was with ExpressVPN and Surfshark, and there is no live chat option. Windscribe’s support is only accessible via email, and we’ve had to wait up to 24 hours for a response.

Other free VPNs either don’t work to unblock Max, are poor choices due to overly-restrictive data and server caps, or are unsafe to use. If you want safe, unrestricted access to Max, you need a premium VPN.

We regularly test 65 VPNs with Max and update our records accordingly. Here’s a list of popular paid and free VPNs that do and do not work with HBO Max:

VPNs that Work with HBO Max	VPNs that Don’t Work with HBO Max
CyberGhost	Avira VPN Free
ExpressVPN	Astrill VPN
Hide.me	Hide.me Free
Hotspot Shield	Hola VPN
Mullvad	Hotspot Shield Basic (Free)
NordVPN	IPVanish
PrivadoVPN Free	Ivacy
Private Internet Access	McAfee VPN
PrivateVPN	Proton VPN Free
PureVPN	SuperVPN Free
Strong VPN	Thunder VPN
Surfshark	TorGuard
TunnelBear Free	VPN Proxy Master
Windscribe	ZoogVPN

Max tries to detect VPNs and block access outside permissible regions. You’ll know your VPN is not working if you get these error messages:

“Max is Not Available in Your Region”

or

“Not in Service Area”

1. Upgrade Your VPN

If your VPN is not working with Max, your VPN has been detected and blocked. The best way to fix this is to upgrade to a VPN that reliably bypasses Max blocks.

Many VPN services lack the necessary technology and resources to unblock Max. This is why most free VPNs simply don’t work.

Our Max streaming tests confirm that ExpressVPN offers the most reliable way to bypass Max blocks and avoid error codes.

2. Subscribe to Max Using a Local Payment Method

You cannot watch Max if you do not subscribe using a payment method registered in a country that already has access to Max.

For example, we used a US-registered payment method to sign up after connecting to a US VPN server from the UK. That’s because Max does not accept UK payment methods, as the service is not available in the country yet.

If you don’t have a US payment method, you can sign up to Max by using a gift card or third party supplier.

3. Check the URL You Are Visiting

A number of countries still go by the old brand name, HBO Max. If you’re using a VPN to access Max and it’s not working, it’s possible the old URL is still being used for that country. Try accessing Max again with this URL: https://play.hbomax.com/.

For example, HBO Max has been available in Bulgaria and Sweden for a number of years, but neither country has yet rebranded to Max. When we tried to access both the Bulgarian and Swedish version of Max via the new URL, https://play.max.com/, we received this error message:

“This Is Uncharted Territory. Max is not available in this region yet”

However, when we switched to the old URL Max became available again. The reverse is also the case: we could only access Argentinian Max via the new URL, https://play.hbomax.com/.

4. Change Your Account Password

After using a VPN with Max for some time, we experienced the service blocking us from logging in, saying that our username and password is incorrect even though it hadn’t been changed.

We suspect Max does this as a security measure when it detects a number of different IP addresses logging into your account. You can easily fix this by resetting your password via Max account settings.

5. Change VPN Server

Changing the VPN server you are connected to is the simplest way to fix your Max VPN.

It’s possible that Max has identified and blacklisted IP addresses associated with the server you are using, but has not yet blacklisted IP addresses used on a different server.

The more servers the VPN has, the better, as it offers more chance of finding a server unidentified by Max.

However, the best VPNs for Max work every time without you having to spend time server hunting.

6. Switch VPN Protocols

If the current VPN protocol your VPN app is using isn’t working with Max, try using a different protocol. You can change this in the VPN’s settings menu.

In our streaming tests, we found that ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol and NordVPN’s NordLynx are the best for bypassing Max VPN blocks.

7. Contact Your VPN’s Customer Support

You can always contact your VPN’s customer support team, asking for specific servers that unblock Max.

The best VPN services offer 24/7 live chat support, so you can get a prompt answer on which servers work best.

8. Check for IP or DNS Address Leaks

If your VPN leaks your real IP address, Max will detect it and block you from streaming its video content.

Use our VPN leak test tool to check that your VPN is secure and doesn’t leak your IP and DNS credentials.

If your VPN is leaking data, raise it with the service’s customer support or upgrade to a more secure VPN.

Below you’ll find a list of Max error codes, what they mean, and what you can do to fix it:

Error Code 100:

This error code means there’s a problem with your WiFi. Test your home internet connection and restart your router.

Error Code 321:

This error code indicates that there is an issue with your internet connection, not your VPN. Similar to error code 100, simply test your internet connection and restart your router.

Error Code 420:

Max shows this code when you are trying to stream unavailable in your region. The best way to fix error code 420 is to upgrade to a VPN that avoids detection, like ExpressVPN.

Error Code 905:

Error code 905 occurs when your internet connection is too unstable to stream the content. Switch to another VPN server and refresh Max.

If you want to stream HBO Max from a country that it isn’t available in, you’ll need two things: a reliable VPN and a payment method registered in the country you’re planning to connect to, such as the US. If you don’t have a local payment method, there are still some ways to get HBO Max.

The video below shows you how to use a VPN with HBO Max. This process is identical for almost every VPN service:

If you encounter issues with your HBO Max VPN not working, try these troubleshooting tips.

How to Pay for HBO Max Without a US Payment Method or US Address

Max requires you to have a US payment method associated with a US address. If you don’t have this, getting Max can be difficult.

For this reason, there is false information online about how easy it is to subscribe to Max. Here’s a list of commonly-cited methods that no longer work, and why:

Method	Why It Does Not Work
Just subscribe with PayPal	Max asks for the billing ZIP code and state associated with your PayPal account. If you don’t have one, it will not work. A random US address does not work either.
Use a HBO Gift Card	HBO gift cards no longer exist and can no longer be used to subscribe to HBO Max.

After testing every method, we’ve found there are two ways to get Max outside the US:

1. Virtual Card Service

Using a third-party virtual card service is the easiest and fastest way to subscribe to HBO Max. These services let you use a US-registered payment method and sign up for Max.

They work by adding funds to an account through your usual credit/debit card or PayPal. When Max asks for your payment details and US address, it is provided by your virtual card. Some of the most reputable include StatesCard and USUnlocked.

2. Google or Apple Gift Card

You can subscribe to Max without having a US payment method by first creating a US Apple ID or Google Account on your iOS or Android. You can then subscribe to Max by purchasing a gift card connected to your account.

To find the best VPNs for streaming Max from anywhere, we identified VPNs that matched the following criteria:

Reliably Unblocks HBO Max (40%): We tested each VPN with Max to ensure they bypassed Max geo-restrictions, allowing us to stream Max from anywhere.

Multiple US Server Locations (20%): Having lots of US servers helps to prevent server congestion when streaming Max. It also allows you to switch servers if your current one isn’t working with Max.

Fast International Download Speeds (20%): Fast download speeds allows you to stream Max in high resolution and without buffering. We collect download speed results from multiple international locations to determine each VPNs average international speed.

Streaming Device Compatibility (20%): A VPN for Max should be available as an easy-to-use app on various streaming devices, including Fire TV Stick and Apple TV. This enables you to stream Max however you want.

The table below shows how each VPN scored in each testing category:

Which HBO Max Region Has the Most Titles?

HBO Max displays different catalogs based on your geographical location. This location is determined by your IP address.

The table below lists the number of content titles available in 12 of the countries where HBO Max is available:

HBO Max Region	Number of Titles
USA	3,138
Mexico	2,926
Perú	2,925
Argentina	2,924
Chile	2,923
Colombia	2,923
Venezuela	2,922
Brazil	2,773
Spain	2,110
Netherlands	2,169
Denmark	1,591
Sweden	1,582

As the table shows, the most content-rich libraries are those in the USA and in Latin American countries, like Mexico and Brazil.

On the other hand, catalogs in European countries like Spain and Netherlands have significantly less video content available.