HBO Max is engaged on a repair for playback errors on Apple TV 4K

If you’ve been working into abrupt “can’t play title” errors when making an attempt to stream HBO Max content material in your Apple TV 4K, you are not alone. I bumped into the problem final week, and located that others are additionally dealing with it.

The challenge appears to particularly happen on Apple TV 4K gadgets (all generations) working tvOS 16.1, and is occurring on the newest HBO Max app model 52.50.1 (launched Nov 16, 2022). For some, the problem is intermittent, and will be dodged via easy troubleshooting steps like pressure quitting the app, logging out of the app, reinstalling it, or restarting the Apple TV.

HBO’s SVP of Communications Chris Willard tells The Verge they’re “aware and working on a fix.” The firm’s specialised help group adopted up with my very own ticket to say the event group is actively investigating the problem and recommends on the lookout for upcoming updates to assist resolve this.

For me, the troubleshooting didn’t assist. HBO Max buyer help was useful to steer me via these makes an attempt however ultimately it needed to be escalated. Shortly after, I used to be emailed an answer that has helped others treatment the scenario — and it entails turning off HDR.

Now, I don’t have HDR help on my TV, however that’s solely a part of the answer supplied. What you’ll must do is that this: from the Apple TV Home Screen, go to Settings, then Video and Audio. In this part that you must change Format to SDR, set Match Content to Disable, flip off Match Dynamic Range, and likewise flip off Match Frame Rate.

This didn’t instantly work for me, however my challenge went from constant to intermittent the following day. For others with newer high-end TVs than me, dropping Dolby Vision HDR can be drag.

Customer help did comply with up with one other resolution to attempt: change decision to 1080p or 720p. Thankfully I didn’t must take that motion since I’ve solely had one of many errors occur since Monday. Hopefully, like me, you received’t be not noted within the chilly when making an attempt to look at a Thanksgiving classic in 4K.