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A small-looking picture in Max is often caused by the title’s shape, not a broken screen: black bars preserve the original image instead of stretching or cropping it. If you watch on max.com and the picture is clipped or will not fill the browser display, Max also identifies a display resolution above 1080p as a possible cause. The right fix depends on whether you see bars, clipping, or a sudden app problem.
First identify what “small” looks like
- Bars stay around one title: they may be part of how that title fits your screen. Max says some titles have black bars or letterboxing along the edges of the video. Max Help Center: playback options and settings.
- The picture is clipped or does not fill the browser display: if you are watching at max.com, check your computer’s display resolution. Max says resolutions above 1080p can cause this behavior. Max Help Center: troubleshooting Max.com.
- The problem is unexpected or affects playback generally: update the app and device software, then follow the troubleshooting instructions for your specific device.
Why black bars appear
Movies and shows can be filmed in different aspect ratios—the relationship between the image’s width and height. When a title’s shape does not match your screen, Max may show bars rather than stretch the picture out of proportion or crop away part of it. Bars above and below the image generally indicate a wider picture; bars at the sides can appear when a squarer image is shown on a widescreen or ultrawide display.
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Max says you cannot manually change a title’s aspect ratio in the service. If the bars appear consistently with one title, they may be expected rather than a fault. Removing them by zooming or changing a device’s picture settings can cut off image content.
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Max’s troubleshooting guidance says the highest resolution supported at max.com is 1080p. It identifies a display resolution above 1080p as a possible reason video may not play full-screen or may be clipped, and recommends changing the screen resolution. This guidance is specific to max.com; it does not establish that a resolution above 1080p causes small-picture problems in every Max TV or mobile app.
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- Open your computer’s display settings and check the current screen resolution.
- If it is higher than 1080p, change it to 1080p or a lower resolution, then try playback again at max.com.
- If the picture still looks wrong, use Max’s troubleshooting instructions for your browser and device rather than assuming the aspect-ratio issue has the same cause.
The exact settings path varies by computer and operating system, which are not specified here.
Zooming in on iPhone or iPad
Max documents pinch-to-zoom for iOS playback: move two fingers apart on the video to zoom in and bring them together to zoom out. Zooming enlarges the image but may crop its edges, so it is a trade-off rather than a way to reveal more of the picture. Max’s documentation does not establish that this gesture is available in Android, computer, or TV apps.
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If the picture seems like an app or device glitch
When the problem is unexpected—not simply bars on a title—Max recommends updating the app and device software, signing out, and restarting. Further steps depend on the device; some of Max’s device-specific instructions include clearing the app cache or reinstalling the app.
- Update Max and your device’s software.
- Sign out of Max and restart the device.
- Open Max’s troubleshooting page and select your device for the applicable next steps: Troubleshoot the Max app or Max.com.
Restarting or reinstalling may address unexpected app behavior, but it will not change the intended aspect ratio of a title.
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