FreeTubeApp / FreeTubeApp/FreeTube

[Bug]: SABR Reload always occurs after period of high network use.

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Description

### Guidelines

- [x] I have encountered this bug in the [latest release of FreeTube](https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/releases).
- [x] I have encountered this bug in the [official downloads of FreeTube](https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube#official-downloads). **The only official downloads are from the [https://freetubeapp.io](https://freetubeapp.io/#download) website, the [FreeTubeApp/FreeTube GitHub repository](https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/releases) and the [io.freetubeapp.FreeTube flatpak](https://flathub.org/en/apps/io.freetubeapp.FreeTube) from Flathub.**
- [x] I have [searched the issue tracker for **open and closed** issues](https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/issues?q=is%3Aissue+sort%3Arelevance-desc) that are similar to the bug report I want to file, without success.
- [x] I have searched the [documentation](https://docs.freetubeapp.io/) for information that matches the description of the bug I want to file, without success.
- [x] This issue contains only one bug.
- [x] I have read and agree to follow the [rules](https://docs.freetubeapp.io/community/rules/).

### Describe the bug

Typically, when watching a longer video, like [this one](https://youtu.be/8nyQWmflve4), I will run into a SABR reload.
Then it will play for another 30 seconds or so before reloading again, and again, and again, before a full stop.

I have a network monitor in my toolbar, and noticed that, with 100% certainty, if I see network usage spike, I'm about to get a SABR reload.

I'm not sure what this means or if it's been covered already, I searched thru the existing SABR issues and didn't find any mention of this specific symptom that I've noticed.

---
1. Network Monitor
Image

2. DevTools/Network - you can see when it goes from normal playback to abnormal.
Image

3. Full stop.
Image

### Expected Behavior

Expect video to play all the way through with only one SABR reload if needed.

### Issue Labels

content not loading

### FreeTube Version

v0.25.3-beta

### Operating System Version

macOS 26.6.2

### Installation Method

.dmg

### Primary API used

Local API

### Last Known Working FreeTube Version (If Any)

_No response_

### Upload screenshots or videos

_No response_

### Additional Information

Also immediately encountered with latest [nightly build](https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/actions/runs/34759384600) with the video I linked earlier.

Watching video at 2K res if that makes a difference.

Some videos do this constantly, and the only way to watch it is to open in YouTube website directly. Other videos that are even longer, don't do it at all.
The point isn't to say some videos are affected, however, my point is to show that it's entirely predictable when a SABR reload happens. Hopefully this can help to narrow down what's happening.

### Nightly Build

- [x] I have encountered this bug in the latest **official** [nightly build](https://docs.freetubeapp.io/development/nightly-builds), do not check this box if you are using an unofficial or custom build.

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

Reproduce the issue with the linked video at 2K resolution using the official nightly build, then inspect the DevTools Network activity around each SABR reload and the eventual full stop. Done means identifying why high network usage triggers repeated reloads and restoring continuous playback with at most one SABR reload.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
macos
Domain
audio-video-rtc, desktop, networking
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Active
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
48/100

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