diff --git a/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbedInner/VideoEmbedInnerWeb.tsx b/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbedInner/VideoEmbedInnerWeb.tsx
index a30c0e1e..441be757 100644
--- a/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbedInner/VideoEmbedInnerWeb.tsx
+++ b/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbedInner/VideoEmbedInnerWeb.tsx
@@ -35,7 +35,13 @@ export function VideoEmbedInnerWeb({
     if (!ref.current) return
     if (!Hls.isSupported()) throw new HLSUnsupportedError()
 
-    const hls = new Hls({capLevelToPlayerSize: true})
+    const hls = new Hls({
+      capLevelToPlayerSize: true,
+      maxMaxBufferLength: 10, // only load 10s ahead
+      // note: the amount buffered is affected by both maxBufferLength and maxBufferSize
+      // it will buffer until it it's greater than *both* of those values
+      // so we use maxMaxBufferLength to set the actual maximum amount of buffering instead
+    })
     hlsRef.current = hls
 
     hls.attachMedia(ref.current)
diff --git a/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbedInner/VideoWebControls.tsx b/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbedInner/VideoWebControls.tsx
index 3fd32269..138791e4 100644
--- a/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbedInner/VideoWebControls.tsx
+++ b/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbedInner/VideoWebControls.tsx
@@ -130,8 +130,12 @@ export function Controls({
     if (focused) {
       // auto decide quality based on network conditions
       hlsRef.current.autoLevelCapping = -1
+      // allow 30s of buffering
+      hlsRef.current.config.maxMaxBufferLength = 30
     } else {
+      // back to what we initially set
       hlsRef.current.autoLevelCapping = 0
+      hlsRef.current.config.maxMaxBufferLength = 10
     }
   }, [hlsRef, focused])