Wits end over video problem

I need help narrowing down what might be causing my trouble. Just after I had a malware infection (a possible coincidence), my computer stopped playing most, but not all, video and streaming audio. For a while there I couldn't even see Instagram videos, but that seems to have resolved itself. I can watch Youtube, but, for example, I can't watch a video on the NFL Network website, or Game tracker on MLB (which is live pitch tracking, not video, but the problem is the same), or listen to the local radio station online, either the live streaming audio or podcasts.

Videos/audio always start, but within a few seconds they freeze and never recover. I'm assuming I have a problem with whatever program runs the video/audio on the websites I'm having difficulty with, I just don't know which program, or how to go about repairing it. Chrome automatically updates Flash, and Windows just downloaded a system update, I also have Kaspersky security and Ad-aware running in the background. I've cleaned the cache, history, etc. multiple times. I run Malware bytes every few days. The problem persists.

I have a relatively new (<3 year old) HP Envy running Windows and the problem exists on both Chrome and Firefox browsers. (Stupidly, I haven't opened IE, but I'm assuming it's the same there.)

Thanks, in advance, for any advice or direction. It's very much appreciated.

ETA: I just realized...add to the problem any website that runs video ads. Frex, Thesaurus.com crashes continually and I get the "Aw snap!" message from Chrome. It's an intermittent occurrence, though, when it comes to other sites.

To both of you, thanks. I just got a message from Windows on restart that it had been "unable to install update automatically" which is strange since it's always done. Anyway, I see the graphics driver on the list. We'll see what happens after the update.

Also, I had already uninstalled Flash from Windows, but it's automatic as part of Chrome. When I go to reinstall, it says it's already there. Not sure how to deal with that within Chrome. Video/audio works fine on my Chromebook so it's something with the Envy.

ave said:

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have you tried repairing your windows installation?

Click to expand...

Oh, this makes me teary-eyed. I don't have the discs! Why don't I have the discs? I shouldn't be messing with stuff like that anyway.

I had a problem with downloading the latest Windows update, too. Something's definitely wrong. When windows scanned for why the update problem, they found corrupted dll files plus other stuff. They fixed the stuff related to the download, but that won't help with the flash thing.

Thank you for the assist with narrowing down and why, ave. Appreciate it. Bottom line is this baby's gonna have to get some professional-level help.

At this point I can't download anything to solve the problem. I did a SFC scan and identified the corrupt files that windows can't fix. I've discovered it's a common issue, and there are fixes available, but I'm unable to download any of them, I suspect because some malware is in there deep. Fixes from both Windows and sysnative get marked as corrupt.

I do have the ability to reset the computer. As ave said, the program files exist in a partitioned space. Now I'm just being lazy about going thru and saving and backing up everything in 3 places. I don't need no stinkin Flash! *has tantrum*

Thank you all for your kind helpfulness and advice.

Ah, thank you Katerina. I can try it. No reason not to, eh?

Excellent advice, OSG. I use Carbonite online backup, and drive imaging is an option. I'll do it once I get this mess straightened out. Thank you for the head's up.