HBO Max shows 'Can’t play content on this browser version' error on Brave

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Description of the issue:
When trying to play any title on HBO Max, I get the following error:
“Can’t play content on this browser version. It looks like you’re using an older browser. Update your browser or watch on another supported device.”

Steps to Reproduce:

  1. Open Brave Browser (version 1.80.120) on Windows 11.
  2. Go to HBO Max and sign in.
  3. Try to play any show or movie.
  4. Error message appears and playback doesn’t work.

Expected result:
Video should play normally as it does in other browsers like Chrome and Zen.

Brave version:
Brave 1.80.120

System:
Windows 11

Additional troubleshooting attempted:

  • Disabled Shields → issue still occurs
  • Disabled all extensions → no change
  • Tried using Private window → still broken
  • Widevine is enabled
  • User-Agent (according to whatismybrowser.com): “Brave on Windows” or “Chrome 138 on Windows 11”
  • HBO Max works fine in Zen browser and Google Chrome
  • No VPN or additional privacy software running
2

Hello - Does this work in a fresh profile?
Menu → More Tools → Add New Profile

Please make sure to turn on Widevine on the new profile.

Thanks for confirming!

4

@Hhero still having issues? What did you find out from new profile? Asking as I see you had replied but then seem to have deleted your response.

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Still not working, fresh profile and Widevine is on. Deleting the reply was my mistake and I can’t reply a duplicate.

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@Hhero I believe I know what you’re dealing with. Just to confirm, if you go to brave://components and try to update things there, particularly Widevine Content Decryption Module, do you get an update error?

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If the answer to the components is that you do have an error, then follow instructions from one of the two choices below. But if no issues on updating, then ignore this.

The solution will be to go in and rearrange the permissions or to do a clean reinstallation of Brave, whichever you think is easier.

  • Most efficient solution (though many get confused on instructions)

Instructions on how to reassign the permissions can be seen at https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/issues/38609#issuecomment-2195847971

  • Simpler but more annoying solution:

If you go for the clean reinstallation, which is “easier” but also more annoying, then you will want to export bookmarks and passwords so you don’t lose them. Or at least have a good sync chain with another device.

When you uninstall Brave, check the box to delete the data, which you’ll see in a pop-up like below (in the screenshot it’s not checked, but make sure it’s marked).

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image316×187 4.84 KB

Doing this would completely remove all data related to Brave, as if you had never installed it on your device. Then go install again. Import your passwords and bookmarks, then things should work wonderfully again.

1 Like
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I tried clicking check for update button. Update error did not come up, just up-to-date.

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@Hhero of course your issue is going to be something different. Then I guess back to the drawing board. I don’t have an HBO Max subscription and don’t feel like paying for one to test on this. So going to have to ask you to check on a few things. First, let me confirm:

  1. When you did the new profile, you did create a second one and used it “as is”, right? No extensions or anything? All you did was turn on Widevine?
  2. Would you install Brave Beta or Brave Nightly to see if it happens on either of them?

I guess one other random thought:

If you go to brave://settings/shields/filters and in the Create custom filters area, enter hbomax.com/##+js(brave-fix) and then hit Save Changes. Then navigate to HBO Max and try, do you notice any changes?

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hbomax.com##+js(brave-fix)

(Exists already in Brave shields)

1 Like
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Can you test Brave Nightly @Hhero https://brave.com/download-nightly/

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Just tried it on freshly installed Brave Nightly and HBO Max does work. What does this mean? Do I need to clean reinstall Brave?

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Test in Nightly, see if it helps. Uses a seperate profile to other Brave versions

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Yes, I tested in Nightly and Max works.

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Is is possible to also use Max on normal Brave though?

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Its a test too see if it works, whether is profile related issue or not

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Actually, you may be able to download and install Brave on top of your current. Without uninstalling just download and install. It could potentially repair whatever is broken. Nothing would be lost in this, so safe option so long as you’re not uninstalling.

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