Firefox video playback is extremely slow with AdGuard

[Hitokage]

Problem: Video loads extremely slow on all sites. Even popular sites like Dailymotion is terrible. While it's slightly better on Youtube, it's still terrible. For some sites, it's slow to the extent that the video only starts after like 30 mins!

I am using Firefox 50.0 currently and it is my main browser, but this issue has been happening for a long time. Initially I thought it's my internet issue, then I realized Chrome doesn't have such problem, and eventually I found out the issue lies with Firefox + Adguard combination.

Disabling all modules on Adguard main screen (Protection, Extensions, Ad Blocker, Browsing Security, Parental Control) does not work. The only solution that works is to close Adguard completely, OR go to Settings -> Filtered Apps and untick Firefox.

My Chrome is ticked under Filtered Apps, but it doesn't experience such issue, even with all modules enabled.

OS: Windows 10 1607
Browser: Firefox 50
Adguard: 6.1
I would like to highlight again that I'm having this problem for a long time, so the problem doesn't restrict to the above-mentioned versions.

Any help appreciated!

 

[vasily_bagirov]

@Hitokage hi!

Could you please send us some logs? Here's how to obtain them:
https://kb.adguard.com/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/View/23/10/how-can-i-get-adguard-log-files

But make sure to reproduce the problem first (start a video and let it roll for ~1 min with Adguard enabled). You can post logs here, send them to me via PM or send them to support (in the latter case post here your userID, which will be mentioned in the automatic reply).

 

[Hitokage]

@vasily_bagirov
Hi, here are the logs as requested. I tried reproducing the problem again in 2 video players right before submitting: Dailymotion and Daum
In the case of Dailymotion, loading is slow, and it is regardless of which resolution I tried to play in (eg. 144p is as slow as 720p). In the case of Daum, playback just don't start at all.
For both, upon closing Adguard, the video started playing smoothly even without refreshing the webpage.

 

[Hitokage]

Sorry, I would like to bring up this post again in case it's missed.

 

[vasily_bagirov]

@Hitokage
Sorry for taking so long with the reply. I took a look at the logs, but they are too big to get any useful information from there. Can you please do the following: delete the %programdata%\adguard\logs folder (it will be recreated automatically), and then recollect the logs again, this time marking the exact timestamp when you experienced the problems with video.

By the way, does switching WFP driver off in Adguard settings help? Maybe it is some kind of compatibility issue. Do you run any antivirus software, for example?

 

[Hitokage]

Thanks a lot for the help, disabling WFP works. Regarding antivirus software, I'm only running Emsisoft Anti-Malware, and disabling all its components doesn't solve the issue.
I deleted the logs and tried again, but I realized viewing the videos doesn't update any log file even though I'm still experiencing playback issues when WFP is on, so I doubt it will be useful.

 

[vasily_bagirov]

@Hitokage maybe there's no need in logs then, looks like WFP driver compatibility issue with Emsisoft. What can be done:

1) Disabling WFP driver. This solution is fine if you don't use Edge browser and Windows modern apps (they can't be filtered without WFP driver)
2) Disabling HTTPS filtering in Adguard (not a very good solution, all https websites will not be filtered obviously)
3) Disabling SSL scan (don't remember the exact wording) in Emsisoft. This will mean antivirus doesn't scan encrypted traffic - depends on you if you are ok with it.

 

[Hitokage]

Tried the other 2 solutions - doesn't work. Only disabling WFP driver works. I'm fine with this solution for now, thanks a lot for your help!!