Connect freezes on loading screen

I've been using Adobe Connect for about a year now and I've never had any problems with it up until 2 weeks ago. Each time I try to launch a class, the add-in freezes on the "Adobe Connect Connecting" page. The blue bar goes all the way until 100% and then nothing happens. I usually have to launch the classroom 4-5 times before it finally connects. Furthermore, the class normally freezes once or twice whilst in the middle of a lecture and I have to leave and re-enter (sometimes having to make multiple attempts to get in again).

I currently use:

Chrome
Windows 8

I have tried:

Clearing my cache, cookies, etc.
I have tried Firefox and IE (same results)
I tried deactivating Avast as well as Windows Firewall
I tried adding the ports 1935, 443, and 80 to the firewall exceptions.

I have unistalled the Adobe Connect add-in and tried to use the brower plugin.
I have reinstalled Flash and the add-in

I am at a loss for what to do. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.