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

Updated Nov 8, 2024

Callum Tennent

Callum Tennent oversees how we test and review VPN services. He's a member of the IAPP, and his VPN advice has featured in Forbes and the Internet Society. Read full bio

Fact-checked by Simon MiglianoAdditional Testing by David Hughes

Our Verdict

The most effective way to unblock HBO Max is to use a VPN that consistently bypasses the service’s geo-restrictions. Based on our tests, ExpressVPN is the most reliable VPN for bypassing Max blocks and avoiding error codes and IP bans. If your VPN isn’t working with HBO Max, you can also switch VPN servers, try a different VPN protocol, or contact your VPN’s support team.

How to Watch HBO Max with a VPN

HBO Max (now called Max) is the updated version of HBO Now and HBO Go. The service is only available in the USA, Latin America, the Caribbean, and select European countries (see the full list here).

Even if you’re in a country that can access HBO Max, the service offers different content depending on the location of your IP address. That means each region’s content is different.

To bypass these geo-restrictions and watch shows like ‘The Penguin’, you can use a VPN to change your IP address location. This allows you to watch HBO Max from anywhere and unblock international content from other regions.

Summary: The Best HBO Max VPNs

Based on our hands-on tests, the best VPNs for HBO Max are:

ExpressVPN: The most reliable VPN for HBO Max.
Surfshark: A budget alternative for HBO Max.
Windscribe Free: The best free VPN for HBO Max.

Why Trust Us?

We’re fully independent and have been reviewing VPNs since 2016. Our ratings are based on our own testing results and are unaffected by financial incentives. Learn who we are and how we test VPNs.

VPNs Tested With Max	61
VPNs That Unblock Max	36
Test Devices	Windows, iOS, PS5, Fire TV & Apple TV

Many VPNs don’t work well with HBO Max, though. In fact, we only recommend five VPN services out of the 65 we tested with the streaming service. If you use the wrong VPN, you might see the following error message:

“Not in Service Area or VPN Detected”

The best way to avoid error messages like this is to get a VPN that reliably works with Max.

The 3 Best VPNs for HBO Max (Detailed Analysis)

Since 2016, we’ve hand-tested 61 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
Ranked #1 out of 61 VPNs for Max
ExpressVPN
Add to compare
Get ExpressVPN
Overall HBO Max Rating: 9.8/10
- Unblocks HBO Max
  9.9/10
- US Server Locations
  9.6/10
- Speed
  9.7/10
- Device Compatibility
  9.9/10
To learn more, read our VPN testing methodology.
- Unblocks HBO Max on all US servers
- Fast and reliable international connections
- Works with multiple international Max libraries
- Well-designed and user-friendly apps
- Apps available for Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, router, and more
- Expensive short-term subscription
- Smart DNS only works with US HBO Max
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.

We used ExpressVPN to watch Max exclusives like ‘The Penguin’.

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 $4.99 per month on its long-term deal. If this is too expensive, consider using Surfshark, which is substantially cheaper.

Get ExpressVPN
2. Surfshark: Cheap VPN for HBO Max
Surfshark VPN
Add to compare
Get Surfshark
Overall HBO Max Rating: 9.4/10
- Unblocks HBO Max
  9.4/10
- US Server Locations
  9.8/10
- Speed
  9.1/10
- Device Compatibility
  9.1/10
To learn more, read our VPN testing methodology.
- Works to unblock HBO Max
- Large US server network
- Fast international speeds
- Smart DNS works with Max
- Budget long-term subscriptions
- Not every US server works with Max
- Slower than ExpressVPN
- Short-term subscriptions are expensive
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.

Using Surfshark, we could reliably unblock House of the Dragon and other Max titles.

Although Surfshark is not as reliable as ExpressVPN for unblocking Max or accessing other US platforms like Peacock, it is an impressive budget alternative. Surfshark only costs $1.99 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.

Get Surfshark
3. Windscribe: Free VPN for HBO Max
Windscribe Free
Add to compare
Get Windscribe
Overall HBO Max Rating: 7.0/10
- Unblocks HBO Max
  9.0/10
- US Server Locations
  8.5/10
- Speed
  8.8/10
- Device Compatibility
  8.5/10
To learn more, read our VPN testing methodology.
- Free VPN for HBO Max
- 8 US city servers
- Fast international speeds
- No device limit
- 10GB per month data cap
- Poor customer support
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.

Windscribe Free has multiple US servers that access Max.

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.

Get Windscribe

VPNs That Work With HBO Max: Full Test Results

We regularly test 61 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
IPVanish	Hotspot Shield Basic (Free)
Mullvad	McAfee VPN
NordVPN	Proton VPN Free
PrivadoVPN Free	SuperVPN Free
Private Internet Access	Thunder VPN
PrivateVPN	TorGuard
PureVPN	VPN Proxy Master
Strong VPN	ZoogVPN
Surfshark
TunnelBear Free
Windscribe

HBO Max VPN Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It

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”

HBO Max Is Not Available in Your Region
Notification

To fix your Max VPN, try these tricks:

Upgrade Your VPN
Subscribe to Max Using a Local Payment Method
Check the URL You Are Visiting
Change Your Account Password
Change VPN Server
Switch VPN Protocols
Contact Your VPN’s Customer Support
Check for IP or DNS Address Leaks

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”

HBO Max This is Uncharted Territory Error

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.

PIA US Servers on iOS

PIA’s US servers on iOS.

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.

How to Bypass Max Error Codes

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.

How to Watch HBO Max with a VPN

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:

Using ExpressVPN to unblock HBO Max's American video library.

To watch HBO Max with a VPN, follow these simple steps:

Subscribe to a VPN that works with Max. We recommend ExpressVPN
Download, install, and open the VPN. Connect to a server in a country where Max is available, or a dedicated Max server if there is one.
Go to the Max website, select a subscription plan, and create an account.
Sign up to the service as normal, using a local payment method. If you don’t have one, see these tricks on how you can sign up to Max.
Once you’ve created your Max account, keep your VPN running, login, and stream Max.

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.

HBO Max Subscription Sign Up

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 create a US Apple ID, follow these steps:

Open the App Store and sign out of your current account.
Select Create New Apple ID and insert the details, listing your country as the United States.
Do not include any payment information when prompted to. Instead select None and then insert a random US address.
With your new Apple ID created, purchase a gift card from a third party. Buying it from Apple directly necessitates a US payment method. BestBuy of MyGiftCardSupply are reliable options.
Redeem the gift card via your Account page, inserting the code.
With the gift card now tied to your account, search for and download the Max app within the App Store.
et a VPN and connect to a US server.
Open the Max app, create a new account, and pay for the service via the Apple gift card.

Follow these steps to create a US Google account:

Install a VPN onto your Android device and connect to a US IP address.
Go to your Android Settings and select your account profile image to see your info.
Tap the small arrow beside your current account and select Add another account > Create account.
Insert all the necessary information but do not add any information that could indicate your location.
Once your new account is set up, you need to purchase a Google Play Gift Card. You can do this via Amazon or PayPal.
Open the Google Play app > tap your profile icon > Payments and subscriptions > Redeem code. Insert the gift card code to add it to your account.
Search for and install the Max app in the Play Store, signing up for a Max subscription.
Use the gift card associated with your account to subscribe to HBO Max.

HBO Max VPN Testing Methodology

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.

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.

Data Cap Penalty

We apply a penalty to the VPN’s overall rating for HBO Max depending on its data cap:

Unlimited bandwidth: No deduction to the overall rating
10GB per month: -20% to the overall rating
500MB per day: -25% to the overall rating
5GB per month: -30% to the overall rating
1GB or 2GB per month: -35% to the overall rating
200MB per day: -40% to the overall rating
500MB per month: -50% to the overall rating

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

VPNs with a data cap receive a reduction to their overall rating.

FAQs

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.

Is It Legal to Use a VPN with HBO Max?

Yes, using a VPN to watch geo-restricted HBO Max content is legal. VPNs are allowed in most countries, including the UK, US, Canada, and most of Europe.

HBO Max’s terms of use do not mention VPNs, so there’s no explicit rule against using one. This means your account won’t be deactivated if you use a VPN.

We’ve been using VPNs with HBO Max since it launched in 2020, and our original account is still active. We’ve also not encountered any legal issues for using a VPN during this time.