diff --git a/backend/dev_homeserver-othersite.yaml b/backend/dev_homeserver-othersite.yaml
index 81e775ca..7eb8f294 100644
--- a/backend/dev_homeserver-othersite.yaml
+++ b/backend/dev_homeserver-othersite.yaml
@@ -50,6 +50,9 @@ max_event_delay_duration: 24h
 enable_registration: true
 enable_registration_without_verification: true
 
+# Shared secret for admin user registration via API (for testing only!)
+registration_shared_secret: "test_shared_secret_for_local_dev_only"
+
 report_stats: false
 serve_server_wellknown: true
 
diff --git a/backend/dev_homeserver.yaml b/backend/dev_homeserver.yaml
index dc7b42c8..0aea2ece 100644
--- a/backend/dev_homeserver.yaml
+++ b/backend/dev_homeserver.yaml
@@ -50,6 +50,9 @@ max_event_delay_duration: 24h
 enable_registration: true
 enable_registration_without_verification: true
 
+# Shared secret for admin user registration via API (for testing only!)
+registration_shared_secret: "test_shared_secret_for_local_dev_only"
+
 report_stats: false
 serve_server_wellknown: true
 
diff --git a/backend/dev_nginx.conf b/backend/dev_nginx.conf
index bfd79fa2..834adaeb 100644
--- a/backend/dev_nginx.conf
+++ b/backend/dev_nginx.conf
@@ -34,6 +34,13 @@ server {
         proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
         proxy_set_header Host $host;
     }
+    location ~ ^(/_matrix|/_synapse/admin)  {
+        proxy_pass "http://homeserver:8008";
+        proxy_http_version 1.1;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $remote_addr;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
+        proxy_set_header Host $host;
+    }
 
     error_page   500 502 503 504  /50x.html;
 
@@ -76,6 +83,14 @@ server {
         proxy_set_header Host $host;
     }
 
+    location ~ ^(/_matrix|/_synapse/admin)  {
+        proxy_pass "http://homeserver-1:18008";
+        proxy_http_version 1.1;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $remote_addr;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
+        proxy_set_header Host $host;
+    }
+
     error_page   500 502 503 504  /50x.html;
 
 }
diff --git a/backend/playwright_homeserver-othersite.yaml b/backend/playwright_homeserver-othersite.yaml
index 35640ae9..86c77b35 100644
--- a/backend/playwright_homeserver-othersite.yaml
+++ b/backend/playwright_homeserver-othersite.yaml
@@ -50,6 +50,9 @@ max_event_delay_duration: 24h
 enable_registration: true
 enable_registration_without_verification: true
 
+# Shared secret for admin user registration via API (for testing only!)
+registration_shared_secret: "test_shared_secret_for_local_dev_only"
+
 report_stats: false
 serve_server_wellknown: true
 
diff --git a/backend/playwright_homeserver.yaml b/backend/playwright_homeserver.yaml
index a83247cd..8f437524 100644
--- a/backend/playwright_homeserver.yaml
+++ b/backend/playwright_homeserver.yaml
@@ -50,6 +50,9 @@ max_event_delay_duration: 24h
 enable_registration: true
 enable_registration_without_verification: true
 
+# Shared secret for admin user registration via API (for testing only!)
+registration_shared_secret: "test_shared_secret_for_local_dev_only"
+
 report_stats: false
 serve_server_wellknown: true
 
diff --git a/playwright.config.ts b/playwright.config.ts
index 4fb86b95..84afed64 100644
--- a/playwright.config.ts
+++ b/playwright.config.ts
@@ -7,11 +7,22 @@ Please see LICENSE in the repository root for full details.
 */
 
 import { defineConfig, devices } from "@playwright/test";
+import { join } from "path";
+import path from "node:path";
+import { fileURLToPath } from "node:url";
 
 const baseURL = process.env.USE_DOCKER
   ? "http://localhost:8080"
   : "https://localhost:3000";
 
+const __dirname = path.dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
+
+// Needed by the synapse admin API called in fixtures
+process.env.NODE_EXTRA_CA_CERTS = join(
+  __dirname,
+  "backend/dev_tls_local-ca.crt",
+);
+
 /**
  * See https://playwright.dev/docs/test-configuration.
  */
diff --git a/playwright/fixtures/widget-user.ts b/playwright/fixtures/widget-user.ts
index cdb683ee..68aef8d9 100644
--- a/playwright/fixtures/widget-user.ts
+++ b/playwright/fixtures/widget-user.ts
@@ -91,7 +91,9 @@ export const widgetTest = test.extend<MyFixtures>({
 
       await ewPage1
         .getByRole("button", { name: "Invite to this room", exact: true })
-        .click();
+        .click({
+          timeout: 10000,
+        });
       await expect(
         ewPage1.getByRole("heading", { name: "Invite to Welcome Room" }),
       ).toBeVisible();
diff --git a/playwright/mobile/create-call-mobile.spec.ts b/playwright/mobile/create-call-mobile.spec.ts
index b66ad6c4..1d9d3af0 100644
--- a/playwright/mobile/create-call-mobile.spec.ts
+++ b/playwright/mobile/create-call-mobile.spec.ts
@@ -53,7 +53,6 @@ test("@mobile Start a new call then leave and show the feedback screen", async (
 mobileTest(
   "Test earpiece overlay in controlledAudioDevices mode",
   async ({ asMobile, browser }) => {
-    test.slow(); // Triples the timeout
     const { creatorPage, inviteLink } = asMobile;
 
     // ========
diff --git a/playwright/sfu-reconnect-bug.spec.ts b/playwright/sfu-reconnect-bug.spec.ts
index 9f666f0f..9be4a3ac 100644
--- a/playwright/sfu-reconnect-bug.spec.ts
+++ b/playwright/sfu-reconnect-bug.spec.ts
@@ -9,7 +9,9 @@ import { expect, test } from "@playwright/test";
 
 test("When creator left, avoid reconnect to the same SFU", async ({
   browser,
+  browserName,
 }) => {
+  test.skip(browserName === "firefox", "Browser independent");
   // Use reduce motion to disable animations that are making the tests a bit flaky
   const creatorContext = await browser.newContext({ reducedMotion: "reduce" });
   const creatorPage = await creatorContext.newPage();
@@ -91,8 +93,10 @@ test("When creator left, avoid reconnect to the same SFU", async ({
   // the creator leaves the call
   await creatorPage.getByTestId("incall_leave").click();
 
-  await guestCPage.waitForTimeout(2000);
   // https://github.com/element-hq/element-call/issues/3344
   // The app used to request a new jwt token then to reconnect to the SFU
   expect(wsConnectionCount).toBe(1);
+  // Wait a bit to be sure that if there was a reconnect, it would have happened by now
+  await guestCPage.waitForTimeout(6000);
+  expect(wsConnectionCount).toBe(1);
 });
diff --git a/playwright/spa-call-sticky.spec.ts b/playwright/spa-call-sticky.spec.ts
index 328a65da..1dbda735 100644
--- a/playwright/spa-call-sticky.spec.ts
+++ b/playwright/spa-call-sticky.spec.ts
@@ -115,8 +115,12 @@ test("One to One rejoin after improper leave does not crash EC", async ({
   await guestPage.getByTestId("lobby_joinCall").click();
 
   // We cannot use the `expectVideoTilesCount` helper here since one of them is expected to show waiting for media
-  await expect(page.getByTestId("videoTile")).toHaveCount(3);
-  await expect(guestPage.getByTestId("videoTile")).toHaveCount(2);
+  await expect(page.getByTestId("videoTile")).toHaveCount(3, {
+    timeout: 10000,
+  });
+  await expect(guestPage.getByTestId("videoTile")).toHaveCount(2, {
+    timeout: 10000,
+  });
 });
 
 function isStickySend(url: string): boolean {
diff --git a/playwright/spa-helpers.ts b/playwright/spa-helpers.ts
index 648f6e6e..46c414c9 100644
--- a/playwright/spa-helpers.ts
+++ b/playwright/spa-helpers.ts
@@ -119,25 +119,27 @@ async function setRtcModeFromSettings(
 async function expectVideoTilesCount(page: Page, count: number): Promise<void> {
   await expect(page.getByTestId("videoTile")).toHaveCount(2);
 
-  // There are no other options than to wait for all media to be ready?
-  // Or it is too flaky :/
-  await page.waitForTimeout(3000);
   // No one should be waiting for media
-  await expect(page.getByText("Waiting for media...")).not.toBeVisible();
+  await expect(page.getByText("Waiting for media...")).not.toBeVisible({
+    timeout: 10000,
+  });
 
-  // There should be 5 video elements, visible and autoplaying
-  const videoElements = await page.locator("video").all();
-  expect(videoElements.length).toBe(count);
+  // There should be `count` video elements, visible and autoplaying
+  await expect(page.locator("video")).toHaveCount(count);
 
-  const blockDisplayCount = await page
-    .locator("video")
-    .evaluateAll(
-      (videos: Element[]) =>
-        videos.filter(
-          (v: Element) => window.getComputedStyle(v).display === "block",
-        ).length,
-    );
-  expect(blockDisplayCount).toBe(count);
+  await expect(async () => {
+    const videoBlockCount = await page
+      .locator("video")
+      .evaluateAll(
+        (videos: Element[]) =>
+          videos.filter(
+            (v: Element) => window.getComputedStyle(v).display === "block",
+          ).length,
+      );
+    expect(videoBlockCount).toBe(count);
+  }).toPass({
+    timeout: 10000,
+  });
 }
 
 export const SpaHelpers = {
diff --git a/playwright/utils/synapse-admin.ts b/playwright/utils/synapse-admin.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b1d0039c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/playwright/utils/synapse-admin.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,142 @@
+/*
+Copyright 2026 Element Creations Ltd.
+
+SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only OR LicenseRef-Element-Commercial
+Please see LICENSE in the repository root for full details.
+*/
+
+import { createHmac } from "crypto";
+
+/**
+ * Response from Synapse registration API
+ */
+export interface SynapseRegistrationResponse {
+  access_token: string;
+  user_id: string;
+  home_server: string;
+  device_id: string;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Utility class for interacting with Synapse Admin API
+ * This provides fast user registration without going through the UI
+ *
+ * @see https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/admin_api/register_api.html
+ */
+export class SynapseAdmin {
+  public constructor(
+    private baseUrl: string = "https://synapse.m.localhost",
+    private sharedSecret: string = "test_shared_secret_for_local_dev_only",
+  ) {}
+
+  /**
+   * Register a user using the Synapse Admin API
+   * This is much faster than going through the UI registration flow
+   *
+   * @param username - The username (localpart) for the new user
+   * @param password - The password for the new user
+   * @param displayName - Optional display name (defaults to username)
+   * @param admin - Whether the user should be an admin (defaults to false)
+   * @returns Registration response containing access token and user ID
+   */
+  public async registerUser(
+    username: string,
+    password: string,
+    displayName?: string,
+    admin: boolean = false,
+  ): Promise<SynapseRegistrationResponse> {
+    // Get a nonce first
+    const nonce = await this.getNonce();
+
+    // Generate the HMAC
+    const mac = this.generateMac(username, password, admin, nonce);
+
+    // Make the registration request
+    const response = await fetch(`${this.baseUrl}/_synapse/admin/v1/register`, {
+      method: "POST",
+      headers: {
+        "Content-Type": "application/json",
+      },
+      body: JSON.stringify({
+        nonce,
+        username,
+        password,
+        displayname: displayName || username,
+        admin,
+        mac,
+      }),
+    });
+
+    if (!response.ok) {
+      const error = await response.text();
+      throw new Error(
+        `Failed to register user ${username}: ${response.status} ${error}`,
+      );
+    }
+
+    return response.json();
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Get a nonce for registration
+   * The nonce is required for the HMAC calculation
+   *
+   * @returns A nonce string
+   */
+  private async getNonce(): Promise<string> {
+    const response = await fetch(`${this.baseUrl}/_synapse/admin/v1/register`, {
+      method: "GET",
+    });
+
+    if (!response.ok) {
+      throw new Error(
+        `Failed to get nonce: ${response.status} ${await response.text()}`,
+      );
+    }
+
+    const data = await response.json();
+    return data.nonce;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Generate HMAC for shared secret registration
+   * This is the authentication mechanism for the admin API
+   *
+   * @param username - The username
+   * @param password - The password
+   * @param admin - Whether the user is an admin
+   * @param nonce - The nonce from the server
+   * @returns The HMAC hex string
+   */
+  private generateMac(
+    username: string,
+    password: string,
+    admin: boolean,
+    nonce: string,
+  ): string {
+    const mac = createHmac("sha1", this.sharedSecret);
+    mac.update(nonce);
+    mac.update("\x00");
+    mac.update(username);
+    mac.update("\x00");
+    mac.update(password);
+    mac.update("\x00");
+    mac.update(admin ? "admin" : "notadmin");
+
+    return mac.digest("hex");
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Create a new SynapseAdmin instance for a different homeserver
+   *
+   * @param baseUrl - The base URL of the homeserver
+   * @param sharedSecret - The shared secret (defaults to test secret)
+   * @returns A new SynapseAdmin instance
+   */
+  public static forHomeserver(
+    baseUrl: string,
+    sharedSecret: string = "test_shared_secret_for_local_dev_only",
+  ): SynapseAdmin {
+    return new SynapseAdmin(baseUrl, sharedSecret);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/playwright/widget/federated-call.test.ts b/playwright/widget/federated-call.test.ts
index fda58250..560636a5 100644
--- a/playwright/widget/federated-call.test.ts
+++ b/playwright/widget/federated-call.test.ts
@@ -26,8 +26,12 @@ modePairs.forEach(([rtcMode1, rtcMode2]) => {
         "The is test is not working on firefox CI environment. No mic/audio device inputs so cam/mic are disabled",
       );
 
-      const florian = await addUser("floriant", HOST1);
-      const timo = await addUser("timo", HOST2);
+      test.slow();
+
+      const [florian, timo] = await Promise.all([
+        addUser("florian", HOST1),
+        addUser("timo", HOST2),
+      ]);
 
       const roomName = "Call Room";
 
@@ -57,27 +61,20 @@ modePairs.forEach(([rtcMode1, rtcMode2]) => {
         const frame = user.page
           .locator('iframe[title="Element Call"]')
           .contentFrame();
-        await expect(frame.getByTestId("videoTile")).toHaveCount(2);
+        await expect(frame.getByTestId("videoTile")).toHaveCount(2, {
+          timeout: 10000,
+        });
 
-        // There are no other options than to wait for all media to be ready?
-        // Or it is too flaky :/
-        await user.page.waitForTimeout(3000);
         // No one should be waiting for media
-        await expect(frame.getByText("Waiting for media...")).not.toBeVisible();
+        await expect(frame.getByText("Waiting for media...")).not.toBeVisible({
+          timeout: 10000,
+        });
 
         // There should be 2 video elements, visible and autoplaying
         const videoElements = await frame.locator("video").all();
         expect(videoElements.length).toBe(2);
 
-        const blockDisplayCount = await frame
-          .locator("video")
-          .evaluateAll(
-            (videos: Element[]) =>
-              videos.filter(
-                (v: Element) => window.getComputedStyle(v).display === "block",
-              ).length,
-          );
-        expect(blockDisplayCount).toBe(2);
+        await TestHelpers.expectVisibleVideoCount(frame, 2);
       }
 
       // await florian.page.pause();
diff --git a/playwright/widget/federation-oldest-membership-bug.spec.ts b/playwright/widget/federation-oldest-membership-bug.spec.ts
index 70442e05..ab5c70fc 100644
--- a/playwright/widget/federation-oldest-membership-bug.spec.ts
+++ b/playwright/widget/federation-oldest-membership-bug.spec.ts
@@ -75,18 +75,11 @@ widgetTest(
       await expect(frame.getByText("Waiting for media...")).not.toBeVisible();
 
       // There should be 2 video elements, visible and autoplaying
-      const videoElements = await frame.locator("video").all();
-      expect(videoElements.length).toBe(2);
+      await expect(frame.locator("video")).toHaveCount(2, {
+        timeout: 10000,
+      });
 
-      const blockDisplayCount = await frame
-        .locator("video")
-        .evaluateAll(
-          (videos: Element[]) =>
-            videos.filter(
-              (v: Element) => window.getComputedStyle(v).display === "block",
-            ).length,
-        );
-      expect(blockDisplayCount).toBe(2);
+      await TestHelpers.expectVisibleVideoCount(frame, 2);
     }
   },
 );
diff --git a/playwright/widget/hotswap-legacy-compat.test.ts b/playwright/widget/hotswap-legacy-compat.test.ts
index e4695624..ed6f1508 100644
--- a/playwright/widget/hotswap-legacy-compat.test.ts
+++ b/playwright/widget/hotswap-legacy-compat.test.ts
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import { HOST1, HOST2, TestHelpers } from "./test-helpers";
 widgetTest(
   `Test swapping publisher from ${HOST1} to ${HOST2}`,
   async ({ addUser, browserName }) => {
+    test.slow();
     test.skip(
       browserName === "firefox",
       "The is test is not working on firefox CI environment. No mic/audio device inputs so cam/mic are disabled",
@@ -65,40 +66,26 @@ widgetTest(
         .contentFrame();
       await expect(frame.getByTestId("videoTile")).toHaveCount(2);
 
-      // There are no other options than to wait for all media to be ready?
-      // Or it is too flaky :/
-      await user.page.waitForTimeout(3000);
-      // No one should be waiting for media
-      await expect(frame.getByText("Waiting for media...")).not.toBeVisible();
+      // Wait for "Waiting for media..." to disappear (with timeout)
+      await expect(frame.getByText("Waiting for media...")).not.toBeVisible({
+        timeout: 10000, // Maximum time to wait
+      });
 
       // There should be 2 video elements, visible and autoplaying
-      const videoElements = await frame.locator("video").all();
-      expect(videoElements.length).toBe(2);
+      await expect(frame.locator("video")).toHaveCount(2, {
+        timeout: 10000,
+      });
 
-      const blockDisplayCount = await frame
-        .locator("video")
-        .evaluateAll(
-          (videos: Element[]) =>
-            videos.filter(
-              (v: Element) => window.getComputedStyle(v).display === "block",
-            ).length,
-        );
-      expect(blockDisplayCount).toBe(2);
+      await TestHelpers.expectVisibleVideoCount(frame, 2);
     }
 
     // now we switch the mode for timo (second joiner on multi-sfu HOST2 but currently HOST1)
     await TestHelpers.setEmbeddedElementCallRtcMode(timo.page, "compat");
     await timo.page.waitForTimeout(3000);
-    const blockDisplayCount = await timo.page
-      .locator('iframe[title="Element Call"]')
-      .contentFrame()
-      .locator("video")
-      .evaluateAll(
-        (videos: Element[]) =>
-          videos.filter(
-            (v: Element) => window.getComputedStyle(v).display === "block",
-          ).length,
-      );
-    expect(blockDisplayCount).toBe(2);
+
+    await TestHelpers.expectVisibleVideoCount(
+      timo.page.locator('iframe[title="Element Call"]').contentFrame(),
+      2,
+    );
   },
 );
diff --git a/playwright/widget/huddle-call.test.ts b/playwright/widget/huddle-call.test.ts
index 9c7cfc80..68e1ba54 100644
--- a/playwright/widget/huddle-call.test.ts
+++ b/playwright/widget/huddle-call.test.ts
@@ -11,18 +11,21 @@ import { widgetTest } from "../fixtures/widget-user.ts";
 import { HOST1, TestHelpers } from "./test-helpers.ts";
 
 widgetTest("Create and join a group call", async ({ addUser, browserName }) => {
+  // increase the timeouts, it is a long test and it is annoying to retry from the beginning for a single timeout.
+  test.slow();
+
   test.skip(
     browserName === "firefox",
     "The is test is not working on firefox CI environment. No mic/audio device inputs so cam/mic are disabled",
   );
 
-  test.slow(); // We are registering multiple users here, give it more time
-
-  const valere = await addUser("Valere", HOST1);
-  const timo = await addUser("Timo", HOST1);
-  const robin = await addUser("Robin", HOST1);
-  const halfshot = await addUser("Halfshot", HOST1);
-  const florian = await addUser("florian", HOST1);
+  const [valere, timo, robin, halfshot, florian] = await Promise.all([
+    addUser("Valere", HOST1),
+    addUser("Timo", HOST1),
+    addUser("Robin", HOST1),
+    addUser("Halfshot", HOST1),
+    addUser("florian", HOST1),
+  ]);
 
   const roomName = "Group Call Room";
   await TestHelpers.createRoom(roomName, valere.page, [
@@ -47,52 +50,55 @@ widgetTest("Create and join a group call", async ({ addUser, browserName }) => {
 
   await TestHelpers.joinCallFromLobby(valere.page);
 
-  for (const user of [timo, robin, halfshot, florian]) {
-    await TestHelpers.joinCallInCurrentRoom(user.page);
-  }
+  await Promise.all(
+    [timo, robin, halfshot, florian].map(async (user) => {
+      await TestHelpers.joinCallInCurrentRoom(user.page);
+    }),
+  );
 
-  for (const user of [timo, robin, halfshot, florian]) {
-    const frame = user.page
-      .locator('iframe[title="Element Call"]')
-      .contentFrame();
-    // No lobby, should start with video on
-    await expect(
-      frame.getByRole("switch", { name: "Stop video", checked: true }),
-    ).toBeVisible();
-  }
+  await Promise.all(
+    [timo, robin, halfshot, florian].map(async (user) => {
+      const frame = user.page
+        .locator('iframe[title="Element Call"]')
+        .contentFrame();
+      await expect(
+        frame.getByRole("switch", { name: "Stop video", checked: true }),
+      ).toBeVisible({
+        timeout: 10000,
+      });
+    }),
+  );
 
   // We should see 5 video tiles everywhere now
-  for (const user of [valere, timo, robin, halfshot, florian]) {
-    const frame = user.page
-      .locator('iframe[title="Element Call"]')
-      .contentFrame();
-    await expect(frame.getByTestId("videoTile")).toHaveCount(5);
-    for (const participant of [valere, timo, robin, halfshot, florian]) {
-      // Check the names are correct
-      await expect(frame.getByText(participant.displayName)).toBeVisible();
-    }
+  await Promise.all(
+    [valere, timo, robin, halfshot, florian].map(async (user) => {
+      const frame = user.page
+        .locator('iframe[title="Element Call"]')
+        .contentFrame();
+      await expect(frame.getByTestId("videoTile")).toHaveCount(5, {
+        timeout: 15000,
+      });
 
-    // There is no other options than to wait for all media to be ready?
-    // Or it is too flaky :/
-    await user.page.waitForTimeout(5000);
-    // No one should be waiting for media
-    await expect(frame.getByText("Waiting for media...")).not.toBeVisible();
-
-    // There should be 5 video elements, visible and autoplaying
-    const videoElements = await frame.locator("video").all();
-    expect(videoElements.length).toBe(5);
-    await expect(frame.locator("video[autoplay]")).toHaveCount(5);
-
-    const blockDisplayCount = await frame
-      .locator("video")
-      .evaluateAll(
-        (videos: Element[]) =>
-          videos.filter(
-            (v: Element) => window.getComputedStyle(v).display === "block",
-          ).length,
+      await Promise.all(
+        [valere, timo, robin, halfshot, florian].map(async (user) => {
+          // Check the names are correct
+          await expect(frame.getByText(user.displayName)).toBeVisible();
+        }),
       );
-    expect(blockDisplayCount).toBe(5);
-  }
+
+      // No one should be waiting for media
+      await expect(frame.getByText("Waiting for media...")).not.toBeVisible({
+        // Use a bigger timeout here
+        timeout: 10000,
+      });
+
+      // There should be 5 video elements, visible and autoplaying
+      await expect(frame.locator("video")).toHaveCount(5);
+      await expect(frame.locator("video[autoplay]")).toHaveCount(5);
+
+      await TestHelpers.expectVisibleVideoCount(frame, 5);
+    }),
+  );
 
   // Quickly test muting one participant to see it reflects and that our asserts works
   const florianFrame = florian.page
@@ -108,28 +114,16 @@ widgetTest("Create and join a group call", async ({ addUser, browserName }) => {
   await expect(florianVideoButton).toHaveAccessibleName("Start video");
   await expect(florianVideoButton).not.toBeChecked();
 
-  // wait a bit for the state to propagate
-  await valere.page.waitForTimeout(3000);
   {
     const frame = valere.page
       .locator('iframe[title="Element Call"]')
       .contentFrame();
 
-    const videoElements = await frame.locator("video").all();
-    expect(videoElements.length).toBe(5);
-
-    const blockDisplayCount = await frame
-      .locator("video")
-      .evaluateAll(
-        (videos: Element[]) =>
-          videos.filter(
-            (v: Element) => window.getComputedStyle(v).display === "block",
-          ).length,
-      );
+    await expect(frame.locator("video")).toHaveCount(5, {
+      timeout: 10000,
+    });
 
     // out of 5 ONLY 4 are visible (display:block) !!
-    // XXX we need to be better at our HTML markup and accessibility, it would make
-    // this kind of stuff way easier to test if we could look out for aria attributes.
-    expect(blockDisplayCount).toBe(4);
+    await TestHelpers.expectVisibleVideoCount(frame, 4);
   }
 });
diff --git a/playwright/widget/pip-call-button-interaction.test.ts b/playwright/widget/pip-call-button-interaction.test.ts
index 5e59f822..95aa4196 100644
--- a/playwright/widget/pip-call-button-interaction.test.ts
+++ b/playwright/widget/pip-call-button-interaction.test.ts
@@ -16,8 +16,6 @@ widgetTest("Footer interaction in PiP", async ({ addUser, browserName }) => {
     "The is test is not working on firefox CI environment. No mic/audio device inputs so cam/mic are disabled",
   );
 
-  test.slow();
-
   const valere = await addUser("Valere", HOST1);
 
   const callRoom = "CallRoom";
diff --git a/playwright/widget/pip-call.test.ts b/playwright/widget/pip-call.test.ts
index 63ba2050..b18252c1 100644
--- a/playwright/widget/pip-call.test.ts
+++ b/playwright/widget/pip-call.test.ts
@@ -47,7 +47,10 @@ widgetTest("Put call in PIP", async ({ addUser, browserName }) => {
   // check that the video is on
   await expect(
     frame.getByRole("switch", { name: "Stop video", checked: true }),
-  ).toBeVisible();
+  ).toBeVisible({
+    // Increase timeout, as this expect was flaky
+    timeout: 15000,
+  });
 
   // Switch to the other room, the call should go to PIP
   await TestHelpers.switchToRoomNamed(valere.page, "DoubleTask");
@@ -63,8 +66,10 @@ widgetTest("Put call in PIP", async ({ addUser, browserName }) => {
     const frame = valere.page
       .locator('iframe[title="Element Call"]')
       .contentFrame();
+
+    await expect(frame.locator("video")).toHaveCount(1, { timeout: 10000 });
+
     const videoElements = await frame.locator("video").all();
-    expect(videoElements.length).toBe(1);
 
     const pipVideo = videoElements[0];
     await expect(pipVideo).toHaveCSS("object-fit", "cover");
diff --git a/playwright/widget/screen-share.test.ts b/playwright/widget/screen-share.test.ts
index c60ef697..c6b03c3f 100644
--- a/playwright/widget/screen-share.test.ts
+++ b/playwright/widget/screen-share.test.ts
@@ -18,9 +18,11 @@ widgetTest("Sharing screen in group call", async ({ addUser, browserName }) => {
 
   test.slow(); // We are registering multiple users here, give it more time
 
-  const alice = await addUser("Alice", HOST1);
-  const bob = await addUser("Bob", HOST1);
-  const carol = await addUser("Carol", HOST1);
+  const [alice, bob, carol] = await Promise.all([
+    addUser("Alice", HOST1),
+    addUser("Bob", HOST1),
+    addUser("Carol", HOST1),
+  ]);
 
   const roomName = "Meeting Room";
   await TestHelpers.createRoom(roomName, alice.page, [bob.mxId, carol.mxId]);
@@ -50,7 +52,7 @@ widgetTest("Sharing screen in group call", async ({ addUser, browserName }) => {
 
     // Expect 3 video tiles
     await expect(frame.locator("video")).toHaveCount(3, {
-      timeout: 5000,
+      timeout: 10000,
     });
   }
 
diff --git a/playwright/widget/simple-create.spec.ts b/playwright/widget/simple-create.spec.ts
index 4686e99d..31afb31e 100644
--- a/playwright/widget/simple-create.spec.ts
+++ b/playwright/widget/simple-create.spec.ts
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ widgetTest.skip(
 );
 
 widgetTest("Start a new call as widget", async ({ asWidget, browserName }) => {
-  test.slow(); // Triples the timeout
+  test.slow();
 
   const { brooks, whistler } = asWidget;
 
@@ -83,8 +83,12 @@ widgetTest("Start a new call as widget", async ({ asWidget, browserName }) => {
     .locator('iframe[title="Element Call"]')
     .contentFrame()
     .getByTestId("incall_leave")
-    .click();
+    .click({ timeout: 15000 });
 
-  await expect(whistler.page.locator(".mx_BasicMessageComposer")).toBeVisible();
-  await expect(brooks.page.locator(".mx_BasicMessageComposer")).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(whistler.page.locator(".mx_BasicMessageComposer")).toBeVisible({
+    timeout: 10000,
+  });
+  await expect(brooks.page.locator(".mx_BasicMessageComposer")).toBeVisible({
+    timeout: 10000,
+  });
 });
diff --git a/playwright/widget/test-helpers.ts b/playwright/widget/test-helpers.ts
index 37cb2583..b47588ce 100644
--- a/playwright/widget/test-helpers.ts
+++ b/playwright/widget/test-helpers.ts
@@ -10,9 +10,12 @@ import {
   expect,
   type JSHandle,
   type Page,
+  type FrameLocator,
 } from "@playwright/test";
 import { type MatrixClient } from "matrix-js-sdk";
 
+import { SynapseAdmin } from "../utils/synapse-admin.ts";
+
 const PASSWORD = "foobarbaz1!";
 
 export const HOST1 = "https://app.m.localhost/#/welcome";
@@ -26,14 +29,14 @@ export class TestHelpers {
     voice: boolean = false,
   ): Promise<void> {
     const buttonName = voice ? "Voice call" : "Video call";
-    await expect(page.getByRole("button", { name: buttonName })).toBeVisible();
-    await page.getByRole("button", { name: buttonName }).click();
 
-    await expect(
-      page.getByRole("menuitem", { name: "Element Call" }),
-    ).toBeVisible();
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: buttonName }).click({
+      timeout: 5000,
+    });
 
-    await page.getByRole("menuitem", { name: "Element Call" }).click();
+    await page.getByRole("menuitem", { name: "Element Call" }).click({
+      timeout: 10000,
+    });
   }
 
   public static async joinCallFromLobby(page: Page): Promise<void> {
@@ -57,9 +60,12 @@ export class TestHelpers {
   ): Promise<void> {
     // This is the header button that notifies about an ongoing call
     const label = audioOnly ? "Voice call started" : "Video call started";
-    await expect(page.getByText(label)).toBeVisible();
-    await expect(page.getByRole("button", { name: "Join" })).toBeVisible();
-    await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Join" }).click();
+    await expect(page.getByText(label)).toBeVisible({
+      timeout: 10000,
+    });
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Join" }).click({
+      timeout: 5000,
+    });
   }
 
   /**
@@ -74,28 +80,44 @@ export class TestHelpers {
     clientHandle: JSHandle<MatrixClient>;
     mxId: string;
   }> {
+    // Determine which homeserver to use based on the host
+    const synapseBaseUrl =
+      host === HOST2
+        ? "https://synapse.othersite.m.localhost"
+        : "https://synapse.m.localhost";
+
+    // Register user via Synapse Admin API to speed things up
+    const synapseAdmin = SynapseAdmin.forHomeserver(synapseBaseUrl);
+    const credentials = await synapseAdmin.registerUser(
+      username,
+      PASSWORD,
+      username,
+    );
+
+    // STEP 2: Open browser and login
     const userContext = await browser.newContext({
       reducedMotion: "reduce",
     });
     const page = await userContext.newPage();
     await page.goto(host);
-    await page.getByRole("link", { name: "Create Account" }).click();
-    await page.getByRole("textbox", { name: "Username" }).fill(username);
-    await page.getByRole("textbox", { name: "Password", exact: true }).click();
-    await page
-      .getByRole("textbox", { name: "Password", exact: true })
-      .fill(PASSWORD);
-    await page.getByRole("textbox", { name: "Confirm password" }).click();
-    await page
-      .getByRole("textbox", { name: "Confirm password" })
-      .fill(PASSWORD);
-    await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Register" }).click();
+
+    await page.getByRole("link", { name: "Sign in" }).click({
+      timeout: 10000,
+    });
+
+    await page.getByRole("textbox", { name: "Username" }).fill(username, {
+      timeout: 10000,
+    });
+    await page.getByRole("textbox", { name: "Password" }).fill(PASSWORD, {
+      timeout: 10000,
+    });
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Sign in" }).click();
 
     await expect(
       page.getByRole("heading", { name: `Welcome ${username}` }),
     ).toBeVisible({
-      // Increase timeout as registration can be slow :/
-      timeout: 15_000,
+      // Increase timeout here :/ flaky
+      timeout: 15000,
     });
 
     await this.maybeDismissBrowserNotSupportedToast(page);
@@ -106,11 +128,7 @@ export class TestHelpers {
     const clientHandle = await page.evaluateHandle(() =>
       window.mxMatrixClientPeg.get(),
     );
-    const mxId = (await clientHandle.evaluate(
-      (cli: MatrixClient) => cli.getUserId(),
-      clientHandle,
-    ))!;
-
+    const mxId = credentials.user_id;
     return { page, clientHandle, mxId };
   }
 
@@ -178,10 +196,14 @@ export class TestHelpers {
       .getByRole("button", { name: "New conversation" })
       .click();
 
-    await page.getByRole("menuitem", { name: "New Room" }).click();
+    await page.getByRole("menuitem", { name: "New Room" }).click({
+      timeout: 5000,
+    });
     await page.getByRole("textbox", { name: "Name" }).fill(name);
     await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Create room" }).click();
-    await expect(page.getByText("You created this room.")).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(page.getByText("You created this room.")).toBeVisible({
+      timeout: 10000,
+    });
     await expect(page.getByText("Encryption enabled")).toBeVisible();
     await TestHelpers.maybeDismissKeyBackupToast(page);
 
@@ -212,9 +234,12 @@ export class TestHelpers {
     roomName: string,
     page: Page,
   ): Promise<void> {
-    await expect(page.getByRole("option", { name: roomName })).toBeVisible();
-    await page.getByRole("option", { name: roomName }).click();
-    await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Accept" }).click();
+    await page.getByRole("option", { name: roomName }).click({
+      timeout: 10000,
+    });
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Accept" }).click({
+      timeout: 5000,
+    });
 
     await expect(
       page.getByRole("main").getByRole("heading", { name: roomName }),
@@ -234,8 +259,12 @@ export class TestHelpers {
     page: Page,
     mode: RtcMode,
   ): Promise<void> {
-    await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Video call" }).click();
-    await page.getByRole("menuitem", { name: "Element Call" }).click();
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Video call" }).click({
+      timeout: 5000,
+    });
+    await page.getByRole("menuitem", { name: "Element Call" }).click({
+      timeout: 10000,
+    });
 
     await TestHelpers.setEmbeddedElementCallRtcMode(page, mode);
     await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Close lobby" }).click();
@@ -331,4 +360,30 @@ export class TestHelpers {
       timeout: 5000,
     });
   }
+
+  public static async expectVisibleVideoCount(
+    frame: FrameLocator,
+    count: number,
+  ): Promise<void> {
+    // XXX we need to be better at our HTML markup and accessibility, it would make
+    // this kind of stuff way easier to test if we could look out for aria attributes.
+    await expect
+      .poll(
+        async () => {
+          return await frame
+            .locator("video")
+            .evaluateAll(
+              (videos: Element[]) =>
+                videos.filter(
+                  (v: Element) =>
+                    window.getComputedStyle(v).display === "block",
+                ).length,
+            );
+        },
+        {
+          timeout: 10000,
+        },
+      )
+      .toBe(count);
+  }
 }
diff --git a/playwright/widget/voice-call-dm.spec.ts b/playwright/widget/voice-call-dm.spec.ts
index a4e6255b..7a13c58b 100644
--- a/playwright/widget/voice-call-dm.spec.ts
+++ b/playwright/widget/voice-call-dm.spec.ts
@@ -20,8 +20,6 @@ widgetTest(
       "The is test is not working on firefox CI environment. No mic/audio device inputs so cam/mic are disabled",
     );
 
-    test.slow(); // Triples the timeout
-
     const { brooks, whistler } = asWidget;
 
     await TestHelpers.startCallInCurrentRoom(brooks.page, true);
@@ -113,8 +111,6 @@ widgetTest(
       "The is test is not working on firefox CI environment. No mic/audio device inputs so cam/mic are disabled",
     );
 
-    test.slow(); // Triples the timeout
-
     const { brooks, whistler } = asWidget;
 
     await TestHelpers.startCallInCurrentRoom(brooks.page, false);
@@ -200,8 +196,6 @@ widgetTest(
       "The is test is not working on firefox CI environment. No mic/audio device inputs so cam/mic are disabled",
     );
 
-    test.slow(); // Triples the timeout
-
     const { brooks, whistler } = asWidget;
 
     await TestHelpers.startCallInCurrentRoom(brooks.page, false);