When you stream HBO on your laptop or phone, you now have the option to Chromecast to your TV. But what do you do when HBO won’t Chromecast, and you’re stuck watching shows on your tiny screens? Don’t worry, as we’re here to help you through the problem of HBO won’t Chromecast.
HBO is one of the largest streaming networks today. However, it has made a name for itself, showcasing high-quality, well-produced shows and blockbuster movies since the 70s. It is one of the first channels to showcase films right in your home from the comfort of your living room.
Since then, HBO has grown to have multiple channels for different types of content delivery, such as video on demand (HBO on Demand) and subscription services. One of its main staples nowadays is streaming on all sorts of devices, and not just utilizing its TV channels.
What Is Chromecast?
Chromecast is a device and a software tool that allows you to watch, stream, and control from one device, usually a google or android product, to another. It can be connected to make your non-smart TV stream movies and videos using your phone. Now you don’t have to invest in buying a smart TV to use your Subscription services like HBO and Netflix.
A simple device has changed how we view content and make our lives easier. To Chromecast, you just need
- a phone
- an app that provides Chromecast functionality
- and a device with a monitor like a TV or a laptop.
Chromecast functionality is just not limited to streaming. You can virtually open any website on a Google Chrome browser and Chromecast it to a TV or monitor. You are essentially turning your browsing into a 4K experience. This is really helpful for displaying data, charts, or websites to a large group of people in a room, such as a business meeting.
Why HBO Won’t Chromecast?
Chromecast has been a feature for HBO’s streaming app HBO MAX since its launch. Many viewers seemed to enjoy the added utility of Chromecast and rated it highly. But some people were seemingly unable to connect their HBO MAX app, and HBO won’t Chromecast to their TV or monitor. We are here to help you find out what’s causing the “HBO won’t Chromecast error” and how to fix it.
Here are some of the reasons why you are facing the issue of HBO won’t Chromecast:
- Server Problems
- HBO Account Problems
- Network Issues
- Faulty Device
- New Update Not Installed On Chromecast
- New Update Not Installed On HBOMAX App
- Using A Mobile Device
- Cache Or Data Problems
This may seem like a daunting list, therefore we’ll go through each of these problems one by one to help you identify what’s precisely causing HBO won’t Chromecast.
How To Fix HBO Won’t Chromecast?
Check HBOMAX Servers
HBO is a streaming service. That means it stores all its data of shows and movies you watch on its servers. That means as long as you don’t have access to those servers via the HBOMAX app, you cannot stream without a problem.
But if those servers are down due to an error on HBO’s side, it can easily cause an HBO won’t Chromecast error. To check the HBO servers, go to downdetector.com. It is a third-party website that provides information on server issues of many websites and services, HBO included.
An alternative would be to call a friend who owns an HBO MAX subscription and Chromecast and see if he can connect with HBO servers. If he lives near your location and has HBO functional with Chromecast, it is therefore, not an HBO server issue.
If the servers are indeed down, there is not much you can do except wait for HBO to fix it themselves and bring it back online. But don’t worry as NBO probably doesn’t want to keep you waiting for too long.
Use Same Wi-Fi if HBO Won’t Chromecast
From Chromecast to connect with your HBOMAX app, it needs to be on the same network connection as the device that is streaming the show. This is due to Chromecast using the internet to stream shows and movies and your device being a mini server. If it cannot detect its mini-server by being on the same Wi-Fi and internet connection, it cannot stream your shows and movies.
So, change and sync the Wi-Fi connection of your Chromecast and HBO, preferably to the one with the faster speed, so you don’t have to deal with HBO won’t Chromecast.
Change Chromecast Name
An unlikely fix that we have discovered to solve HBO won’t Chromecast is to change the name given to your Chromecast device. Sometimes when your Chromecast device’s name contains a character such as a special character ($,@, #), then your mobile might not recognize it due to not having the said character in its data.
Rename your Chromecast device to a single word name for easier pairing. You can do this by going into the settings on the Chromecast device using your Chromecast remote or the Chromecast application on your phone or laptop.
Update Chromecast
Should your Chromecast device be outdated, it can cause you several problems and confusing issues. One of these is HBO won’t Chromecast. This is because the HBO MAX application will already have adjusted to the Chromecast device update, but the device is not updated to fit the adjustment. This can make the Chromecast device undetectable to HBO MAX, and HBO won’t Chromecast.
To update your Chromecast:
- Firstly, make sure your Chromecast is connected to your TV or monitor.
- Secondly, go to your Google Home app.
- Go to more options and open the setting app.
- Tap on the Reboot button to select it.
- Your Chromecast should automatically update to the newest available version when it reboots.
Final Thoughts
We know missing out on watching your shows in HD can be a significant setback to your weekend. If you couldn’t fix the HBO won’t Chromecast problem, we recommend reaching out to HBO support for further assistance. We hope we fixed your issue of HBO won’t Chromecast.
Check out our HBO Won’t Play On HDMI: 7 Easy Fixes To Resolve The Issue and Chromecast Error When Linking Device: A Guide To Fix Your Dongle here.
