Max loads slow, buffers, or pauses
Many factors can affect video playback, including network bandwidth, connection speed, and available memory on your device.
Choose the device you're using:
If Max shows and movies are buffering, here are some things to try. You may need to try more than one solution to fix the issue:
Make sure you have the latest version of the Max app:
- Android: Open the Play Store on your Android device and search for Max. If an app update is available choose Update.
- iOS: Open the App Store on your Apple device and search for Max. If an app update is available choose Update.
- Amazon Fire tablet: Open the Amazon Appstore on your Fire tablet and search for Max. If an app update is available, choose Update.
Here's how to test your internet connection speed:
- Android: Download an internet speed test app from the Google Play Store and test your connection speed.
- iOS: Download an internet speed test app from the Apple App Store and test your connection speed.
- Amazon Fire tablet: From the Home screen on your Fire tablet, swipe down and then select the wireless icon. Tap the network that you're connected to and check the signal strength and link speed.
To stream HD video, you need a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps.
If you're using a cellular data connection, try connecting to a wireless network to see if playback is improved (on your device go to Settings and connect to a Wi-Fi network).
If other people are using the same Wi-Fi network, ask them to temporarily pause their activity. This will allocate as much bandwidth as possible for streaming Max.
- Turn off your phone or tablet with Max.
- Unplug the power from your network devices (modem, router, etc.).
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Reconnect the power to your modem and wait for it to connect to the internet (about 1 minute).
- Reconnect the power to your router and wait for it to connect to the internet.
- Turn on your phone or tablet, open Max, and try watching something.
Try streaming Max on another supported device connected to the same network. This will help determine if the problem is related to your network or a specific device.
If Max shows and movies are buffering, here are some things to try. You may need to try more than one solution to fix the issue:
For the best experience, we recommend using a supported browser.
If you're using a supported browser, update your browser to the latest version. To find out how to do this, search the internet for "update" + the name of your browser (e.g., update Chrome).
Try using a different supported browser (Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Safari). If video plays successfully with a different browser, check your browser configuration:
- Make sure third-party cookies are enabled.
- Disable ad-blocking software.
- Turn off private browsing or incognito mode.
- Disable browser plug-ins, extensions, and add-ons.
Close and reopen your browser, then try watching something.
Test your internet connection to make sure you have a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps. To do this, open a browser and search for 'Internet speed test.' If your download speed doesn't meet the minimum, contact your internet provider to troubleshoot your connection speed.
If other people are using the same network, ask them to temporarily pause their activity. This will allocate as much bandwidth as possible for streaming Max.
Restart your computer and network devices. Here's how:
- Close all apps and restart your computer.
- Unplug the power from your network devices (e.g. modem, router, etc.).
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Reconnect the power to your modem and wait for it to connect to the internet (about 1 minute).
- Reconnect the power to your router and wait for it to connect to the internet.
- Turn on your computer, go to max.com, and try watching something.
For the best performance, try using a wired connection with your computer. To do this, connect your computer to your router using an ethernet cable.
Make sure the cables to your network devices (e.g. modem, router, etc.) are all tightly connected at both connection points. A loose coaxial or ethernet cable can weaken the signal.
If Max shows and movies are buffering, here are some things to try. You may need to try more than one solution to fix the issue:
Make sure you have the latest version of Max. To do this, open the app store on your device and search for Max. If there's an app update available, download the update.
You can test your connection speed on these devices:
- Amazon Fire TV: Go to Settings > Network. Then press the Play button on your remote to check your network status.
- PlayStation 4: Go to Settings > Network > Internet Connection test.
- PlayStation 5: Go to Settings > Network > Connection status > View connection status > Connection speed.
- Roku: Press the Home button, then go to Settings > Network > Check connection. For more help, see Improve your wireless Roku connection.
- VIZIO Smart TV: Press the Menu button (Gear icon) and then go to Network > Test Connection.
- Xbox One and Series X|S: Press the Xbox button on your controller, then go to Profile & system > Settings > General > Network settings > Test network speed & statistics.
If your device isn't listed above, here's how you can check your connection speed:
- Test your connection speed on a computer or mobile device connected to the same network as your TV. To do this, open a browser window and search for 'internet speed test.'
- Download an internet speed test app from the app store on your device.
To stream HD video, you need a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps. For the best 4K streaming experience, we recommend a download speed of 50+ Mbps.
If other people are using the same network, ask them to temporarily pause their activity. This will allocate as much bandwidth as possible for streaming Max.
- Turn off or unplug the device with Max.
- Unplug the power from your network devices (modem, router, etc.).
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Reconnect the power to your modem and wait for it to connect to the internet (about 1 minute).
- Reconnect the power to your router and wait for it to connect to the internet.
- Turn on the device with Max and try watching something.
For the best performance, try connecting your streaming device to your router using an Ethernet cable (instead of using a wireless connection).
Make sure the cables to your network devices (modem, router, etc.) are all tightly connected at both connection points. A loose coaxial or ethernet cable can weaken the signal.
Try streaming Max to another supported device connected to the same network. This will help determine if the problem is related to your network or a specific device.