If you were watching or are trying to watch HBO Max with NordVPN and it’s not working, HBO has been able to identify and block all the IP addresses NordVPN can currently provide.
This can be frustrating, especially if it was working and now it’s not.
But, don’t panic. There’s a number of fixes you can try to resolve NordVPN not working with HBO Max.
In this article we’ll explain how to perform these fixes, and how you can prevent HBO Max not working with VPN again in the future.
See also:
- NordVPN not working with Hulu? Try these EASY fixes! (2023)
- Netflix not working with NordVPN? Here’s some EASY fixes! (2023)
NordVPN not working with HBO Max: Quick fixes
Before you try these fixes, it’s important to know that HBO is very good at blocking VPNs.
Because of this, all VPNs need to constantly battle with HBO to try and stay ahead of its VPN blocking techniques.
Sometimes, even the best VPNs struggle to do this, and they periodically stop winning that battle. NordVPN usually works very well with HBO Max.
To improve your chances of being able to consistently and reliably watch HBO Max with a VPN, we recommend subscribing to multiple VPNs. That way, if one has all of its IP addresses blocked, you can try the other one and vice versa.
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Delete Cookies
Deleting your cookies is a great place to start when trying to fix NordVPN not working with HBO Max.
Cookies are used to make your online experience better. You may have noticed some websites asking you to accept them. The problem with these Cookies is they sometimes contain information about your location.
If you’re outside of the US, HBO can use these Cookies to identify your location and block you from accessing its content, even if you’re using NordVPN.
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Change to a different US server
The good news is, HBO cannot block NordVPN entirely. The bad news is, it can block and blacklist NordVPN’s IP addresses.
If you’re coming across errors watching HBO Max with NordVPN, the IP address you’ve been given has been blocked. This doesn’t necessarily mean all of NordVPN’s IP addresses have been.
Changing to a different US server will give you a different US IP address. If this one hasn’t been blocked, NordVPN will work with HBO Max again.
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Use a different protocol
NordVPN supports multiple VPN protocols. These are rules that determine the way the VPN reroutes your data.
They all work differently, some are faster than others, while some are more secure. NordVPN may have stopped working with HBO Max because the protocol you’re using is no longer compatible with the streaming service.
Try changing to a different protocol to see if that fixes the problem. We recommend NordLynx.
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Upgrade to a more reliable VPN
If changing to a different server doesn’t fix NordVPN not working with HBO Max, then HBO has managed to block all the IP addresses that NordVPN has available at this time.
This has happened because NordVPN is no longer able to stay one step ahead of HBO Max’s VPN blocking techniques.
You can wait for NordVPN to release new IP addresses that haven’t been blocked however this could take a long time and seeing as this problem has occurred already, it will inevitably happen to the new IPs as well.
The best way to fix this problem is to upgrade to a VPN that is able to stay ahead of HBO Max’s blocks. We recommend ExpressVPN ($6.66/month)
Why does HBO block NordVPN?
HBO tries to prevent any VPN from connecting to its service. It does this because of the copyright and licensing agreements it has with its content partners.
HBO only has the rights to broadcast its content in the US. It does not have international broadcast rights.
HBO blocks users outside its broadcast zone (the US) from accessing its content to prevent copyright and licensing issues from arising. This is why you cannot access HBO Max outside the US without a VPN.
Because NordVPN allows you to watch HBO Max outside its broadcast zone, HBO blocks IP addresses provided by the VPN to protect itself from financial punishments.
These blocks are why NordVPN is no longer working with HBO Max.
How does HBO Max block NordVPN?
HBO Max uses three techniques to block NordVPN:
- The most common technique is all to do with the IP addresses ExpressVPN can provide. ExpressVPN has more customers than IP addresses, and this results in customers having to share IPs. HBO Max monitors for an abnormal amount (more than a standard household) of connections coming from the same IP address. When it sees hundreds or thousands of connections coming from the same IP, it knows that this is an ExpressVPN IP address, and it blocks it.
- HBO Max monitors for IP, DNS and WebRTC leaks that can tip the service off you are using a VPN.
- HBO Max teams up with GeoIP databases like Maxmind to identify IP addresses. If the IP address your VPN provides is on one of these databases, HBO Max will be able to find out where in the world you are connecting to the internet from and it will block you.
Does HBO Max still work with VPNs?
Yes, HBO Max will still work with a VPN, but you need to use a VPN that has IP addresses that are still compatible with the service.
By compatible, that means you need a VPN that hasn’t had all of its IP addresses blocked by HBO.
You can either wait for NordVPN to release more IP addresses that haven’t been blocked by HBO Max, but the chances are, you’ll run into this error again.
To fix the problem, you need a VPN that plays a game of cat and mouse with HBO Max. You need a VPN like ExpressVPN ($6.66/month)
When HBO Max identifies and blocks an IP provided by ExpressVPN ($6.66/month), it will close that IP and open a new one.
This will allow you to reliably watch HBO Max from anywhere in the world, and it will help to prevent the errors you’ve run into with NordVPN from happening again.
How to fix NordVPN not working with HBO Max
To fix NordVPN not working with HBO Max, you need to upgrade to a VPN that’s still compatible with the streaming service.
ExpressVPN ($6.66/month)will allow you to reliably watch the service from anywhere in the world and will prevent errors like the ones you’ve run into with NordVPN from happening again.
Below is a list of the best VPNs to watch HBO Max outside of the US. All of these VPNs are able to stay one step ahead of HBO Max’s VPN blocking techniques, and they all have reliable servers around the world.
The best VPNs for HBO Max when NordVPN isn’t working
1. ExpressVPN 🥇
Why You Should Use ExpressVPN? It’s the fastest and MOST reliable VPN of 2023
Pros
- ✅ Fast servers
- ✅ Thousands of IP addresses
- ✅ 10-simultaneous connections
- ✅ 24/7 Live Chat
- ✅ Easy-to-use app
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- ❌ Expensive
Special Offer for you!
Get 3 extra months free when you sign up for a 12-month ExpressVPN plan. That’s 15 months in total for the price of 12.
Number of servers: 3,000+ | Speed: >80% | Bandwidth: Unlimited | IP locations: 160 in 94 countries | Devices supported: 5 | Live chat: Yes | 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
- $6.66/month for 15 months
- $9.99/month for 6 months
- $12.95/month for 1 month
ExpressVPN ($6.66/month) is still the best VPN. And importantly, it ALWAYS has servers that are open with major streaming sites such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, etc.
ExpressVPN is usually very good at playing Cat and Mouse with online streaming sites. Meaning, whenever one of its servers is blacklisted it creates a new one – giving its users a constant stream of servers that aren’t blocked. Needless to say, this is a valuable attribute if you’re looking for a VPN to unblock streaming sites.
Its app is easy-to-use and free to download on pretty much any device you can think of. Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, FireStick, Android TV, Roku, PS4, Xbox, Linux, even Apple TV (with a workaround). It’s got it all covered.
The app is another main reason this VPN is so good at unblocking TV streaming sites (that claim they block VPNs) is that its software takes a pragmatic approach to user management. While other VPNs tempt customers by promising them access to hundreds/thousands of servers in multiple countries, ExpressVPN does things differently.
With ExpressVPN you only have a handful of server locations to choose from. Once you select your location the app takes care of the rest. Assigning you to the fastest available server that’s not oversubscribed. This simple technique is so important, as it keeps ExpressVPN’s servers operating at lightning-fast speeds and prevents its IPs from getting blacklisted for “abnormal” usage in the first place.
Check out our full ExpressVPN review.
Special Offer for you
(30-day money-back guarantee)
2. Private Internet Access 🥈
The BEST low-cost VPN for streaming!
Pros
- ✅ Fast and reliable servers
- ✅ Thousands of IP addresses
- ✅ 10-simultaneous connections
- ✅ 24/7 Live Chat
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- ❌ Only 48 server locations
Special Offer for you!
Sign up for a 3-year plan with Private Internet Access and save 83% + 3 months free. That works out at $2.03/month.
Number of servers: 25,000+ | Speed: >75% | Bandwidth: Unlimited | IP locations: 70 in 74 countries | Devices supported: 10 | Live chat: Yes | 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
- $2.03/month for 3 years
- $7.50/month for 6 months
- $11.99/month for 1 month
Private Internet Access is one of the leading no-log VPN services with over 1-million paying customers.
This VPN is one of the best in the industry at beating streaming sites’ VPN bans. It provides reliable connections with US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+ Amazon Prime Video, etc. It also allows 10 simultaneous devices to be connected to its servers at the same time, so you can share the account with your close friends.
If – for whatever reason – you’re not happy with Private Internet Access, there’s a 24/7 live chat support available to assist you with your problem. PIA also offers the industry-standard 30-day money-back guarantee.
From my tests (from New Zealand) I was able to get download speeds of 70 Mbps while connected to a UK server using the Private Internet Access VPN (my non-VPN speed is 100 Mbps).
Special Offer – Save 83%
(30-day money-back guarantee)
3. Ivacy
A very quick and trustworthy VPN
Pros
- ✅ Fast servers
- ✅ Thousands of IP addresses
- ✅ Dedicated streaming servers
- ✅ 5-simultaneous connections
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
- ✅ 24/7 Live Chat
Cons
- ❌ Only 5 devices
- ❌ Sometimes runs slow
- ❌ Occasionally block by streaming sites for several days
Special Offer for you!
Sign up for Ivacy and enjoy a 7-day trial with no strings attached
Number of servers: 1,000+ | Speed: >65% | Bandwidth: Unlimited | IP locations: 275 in 100 countries | Devices supported: 5 | Live chat: Yes | 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
- $1.16/month for 5 years
- $3.50/month for 1 year
- $9.99/month for 1 month
If you’re looking for an excellent VPN, with an even better price tag, Ivacy ($1.16/month) is a great option.
This VPN has all the features you need to stream BBC iPlayer, in HD, from any country in the world. I’ve been testing the app recently on Mac, PC, Android, iOS and FireStick and the results have been impressive – unlocking BBC iPlayer, US Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, etc. with ease.
The Ivacy app is a little different in regards to its UX (user experience). Instead of just selecting a UK server, you need to select the specific BBC iPlayer server. Don’t worry, this isn’t a bad thing – by connecting to a dedicated BBC iPlayer server, it simply means that you’re connecting to an IP address that Ivacy knows works with BBC iPlayer.
For an extra $1.99/month (£1.74) you can add-on a dedicated IP. This will buy you sole access to an IP address in a country of your choice, meaning you won’t have to share your IP (and speeds) with any other use. I don’t recommend this though, using the regular Ivacy servers is enough 95 per cent of the time.
Special Offer – 7-day FREE trial!
(30-day money-back guarantee)
4. CyberGhost
A very quick and trustworthy VPN
Pros
- ✅ 1-day free trial
- ✅ Reliable servers
- ✅ Thousands of IP addresses
- ✅ 7-simultaneous connections
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
- ✅ Easy-to-use app
Cons
- ❌ Expensive
- ❌ Average speed scores
SPECIAL OFFER – 1-DAY FREE TRIAL
Take advantage of CyberGhost’s 1-day FREE TRIAL!
Number of servers: 1,000+ | Speed: >65% | Bandwidth: Unlimited | IP locations: 275 in 100 countries | Devices supported: 5 | Live chat: Yes | 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
- $2.75/month for 3 years
- $3.69/month for 2 years
- $5.99/month for 1 year
- $12.99/month for 1 month
CyberGhost is one of the more established VPNs on the market. It has a well-established, and well-tested global network of servers that perform well.
From my tests over the past several months, CyberGhost has no trouble at unblocking major streaming services – US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max etc. This VPN performed well at maintaining download speeds, well above 65 per cent of my regular (non VPN) ISP speed.
That said, there’s nothing really unique about the service. Which forces you to look at its price-point. And there’s nothing special here. Its short-term $12.99/month price tag puts is well above the industry average of $10.10/month. Similarly, its long-term $2.75/month for 3 years deal isn’t much of a “deal” either.
Oddly, CyberGhost’s most unique feature is its a 1-day, no obligations, free trial. This is an appealing offer to customers who are new to VPNs. However, it’s important to remember that most reputable VPNs will offer customers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so try not to be too seduced by the offer.
SPECIAL OFFER – 1-DAY FREE TRIAL
(30-day money-back guarantee)
