How To Get HBO Max On Vizio Smart TV – Easy Steps

Last Updated on October 7, 2023 by Jhonni Jets

How To Get HBO Max On Vizio Smart TV – Easy Steps

Back in April, HBO announced HBO Max, a streaming service launching in the US in 2020. It’s the new name for the combined HBO Now and Max apps available now. Since it’s probably not coming to your country anytime soon, you might wonder how to get it on your TV. Don’t worry – it’s cracked wide open and can be accessed outside of the US. Keep reading for details about how to do it!

So, you purchased your new Vizio Smart TV and found out there is no HBO on it. You quickly realized that you could use an internet connection to watch many shows online, but you don’t feel like paying for another subscription service. This post will show you what you need to do to get HBO on your Vizio smart TV with the HBO Go app.

Pre-Requisites

Before we get started, there are a few things you’ll need to get HBO Max on your Vizio Smart TV:

• A Vizio Smart TV – Most models from 2016 and newer will work. This includes the V, M, P, and OLED series.
• High-Speed Internet Connection – Since HBO Max is a streaming service, you’ll need a fast and reliable internet connection. We recommend at least 25Mbps download speed.
• HBO Max Subscription – You can sign up directly through the HBO Max app on your Vizio Smart TV. There are two plan options:
  • With ads – $9.99/month
  • Ad-free – $14.99/month
• HBO Max App – The app may already be pre-installed on newer Vizio models. If not, you can easily download it.

Once you have all of that ready, we can move on to getting HBO Max set up on your Vizio Smart TV.

How To Get HBO Max On Vizio Smart TV

Download the HBO Max App

The HBO Max app may already be pre-installed on the home screen of newer Vizio TVs. If you don’t see it there, follow these steps to download it:

1. Press the Home button on your Vizio remote. This will bring up the SmartCast home screen.
2. Use the arrow keys to select “App Row” and press OK. This is where all of your apps are located.
3. Select the “Free” option on the left side of the screen. This will display all apps available for download.
4. Select Search and type in “HBO Max”. The HBO Max app should appear.
5. Highlight the HBO Max app and press OK to download it. This will add the app icon to your App Row.
6. Once the download is complete, you can select the HBO Max app icon to open it.

Sign up for an HBO Max Subscription

Once you have the HBO Max app downloaded, it’s time to sign-up for a subscription. Here’s how:

1. Open the HBO Max app on your Vizio Smart TV.
2. Select the “Sign In” option.
3. On the next screen, choose the “Sign Up” prompt. This will begin the subscription process.
4. Enter your email address and create a password.
5. Select your plan preference: With ads for $9.99/month or ad-free for $14.99/month.
6. Enter your payment information. HBO Max accepts major credit/debit cards and PayPal.
7. Select “Start Subscription” to complete your sign-up.
8. You should now be signed into the HBO Max app and ready to start streaming!

How To Get HBO Max On Your Vizio Smart TV If You Have An Older Model

HBO Max was officially launched just a few months ago, but there are a lot of people wondering if it’s available on their Vizio smart TV. The short answer is yes and no. It all depends on how you want to access the service and how old your TV is.

If you have an older Vizio smart TV and you want to get HBO Max on it, there’s some bad news. The popular streaming service isn’t compatible with any models older than 2015. If that’s not a problem for you, however, here’s what you need to know about getting HBO Max on your Vizio smart TV.

If you have an older model of Vizio smart TV, you won’t be able to get HBO Max directly from the maker. Instead, you’ll have to look elsewhere for streaming services like AT&T DirecTV or Sling TV. You may also be able to use apps like PlayStation Vue or Hulu with Live TV if your TV is more recent than in 2015.

Kodi app Method

There are several different ways that you can watch HBO on your Vizio Smart TV:

The Kodi app is free and is available for download through the Google Play store if you have a Vizio Smart TV that runs on Android OS 5.0 or higher.

Once you have downloaded it, open it and log in with your HBO Go credentials. You will then be able to instantly stream HBO shows and movies on your Vizio Smart TV without having to pay anything extra!

Troubleshooting HBO Max on Vizio Smart TV

Hopefully, you are up and streaming smoothly. But technical issues can pop up from time to time. Here are some common HBO Max problems on Vizio Smart TVs and how to fix them:

Can’t Sign In

If you are unable to sign-in to the HBO Max app, try the following steps:

• Make sure your TV is connected to the internet and try again.
• Restart the HBO Max app by pressing the left arrow and selecting Close App.
• Power cycle your TV by unplugging it for 1 minute then plugging back in.
• Delete then reinstall the HBO Max app. This will clear any cached data.
• Check HBOMax.com/support for any service outages.

Error Codes

If you receive an error code while using HBO Max, don’t panic. Here’s what to do:

• Take note of the specific error code shown.
• Search for that HBO Max error code online to find a solution.
• Try clearing your TV cache and app data through your TV’s system settings.
• Check for a software/firmware update for your Vizio TV. Keeping it updated prevents many issues.

Buffering/Low Quality

Buffering and lower quality streams usually come down to internet connection issues:

• Check your internet speeds with a tool like speedtest.net to identify problems.
• Try rebooting your modem/router if speeds are low.
• Connect your TV directly to the modem with an ethernet cable for faster speeds.
• Limit bandwidth usage by pausing other video streaming or large downloads.
• Adjust video quality in the HBO Max app settings (from Low to High).

No Sound/Lost Audio

If you can’t hear sound or the audio cuts out, try these tips:

• Increase TV volume via remote. Make sure mute is not enabled.
• Check your TV’s audio settings. Change digital audio to PCM or Dolby Digital.
• Select a different audio track in the video playback screen of the HBO Max app.
• Uninstall then reinstall the HBO Max app to refresh audio drivers.
• If external speakers are connected, check their volume levels and cable connections.

With a few simple troubleshooting steps, you can typically resolve any issues that arise with HBO Max on your Vizio Smart TV. Contact Vizio or HBO Max support if problems persist.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of HBO Max

Take your HBO Max streaming experience to the next level on your Vizio TV using these handy tips:

Enable Autoplay

Skip intros and let episodes automatically play continuously – turn on autoplay:

• Go to your Profile icon > Settings cog > Autoplay toggle

Download for Offline Viewing

Download select shows and movies to watch when internet is unavailable:

• Tap the download icon on a title’s page
• Find downloaded content in My Downloads section

Remove Ads

For ad-free viewing, upgrade to the pricier subscription plan:

• Go to Account > Plans & Billing > Change Plan
• Select ad-free for $14.99/month

Create Multiple User Profiles

Set up personalized profiles for different family members:

• Open the app > Select your profile icon
• Add new profile and set preferences

Enable Parental Controls

Block mature content and set viewing limits for kids’ profiles:

• Open a kids profile > Select Parental Controls
• Set restrictions and PIN code

Get Surround Sound

Take advantage of your TV’s immersive audio capabilities:

• In HBO Max settings, change Audio Quality to Surround Sound
• Turn on Dolby Atmos for 3D sound effects (select models only)

Watch on Multiple Devices

Stream simultaneously on TVs, phones, laptops and more with your account:

• Sign in on different devices with your HBO Max credentials
• Stream on up to 3 devices concurrently

So unlock all of the features HBO Max has to offer! Take full advantage of the premium streaming service on your Vizio Smart TV.

Conclusion

Thanks to Vizio Smart TVs and HBO Max, enjoying your favorite blockbuster movies, original series, and more has never been easier. With the HBO Max app downloaded on your Vizio TV, you can simply sign up for a subscription to gain instant access to stream from an extensive catalog of programming.

Follow the steps outlined in this guide to get set up with HBO Max on a Vizio television quickly and seamlessly. We covered everything from pre-requisites like internet requirements, how to download and sign-up in the app itself, browsing for content, troubleshooting common issues, and tips to enhance your viewing experience.

So grab the remote, get comfortable on the couch, and dive into the amazing world of HBO Max on your new Vizio Smart TV. From new Warner Bros. film releases, to classics like Friends, to HBO Max Originals, there is no shortage of entertainment for everyone. You’ll be streaming your favorite shows, movies, comedies, dramas, documentaries and more in the highest quality available in no time. Enjoy!