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How to fix Live TV Pause issues on a Roku streaming device

Live TV Pause allows you to watch television at your own pace. Pause for up to 90 minutes of live TV and up to twice the length of eligible Premium Subscription live channels. Never miss an important scene on your favorite TV shows. This article contains information on how to fix the common issues you may experience while using the feature on your Roku TV system.

What to do if the live streaming channel show ends while paused


Permitted pause time varies by provider or app. If you pause live TV for too long, you may lose your place in the live show or event. When you return, you will resume from the earliest available point or jump back to live, so some of the show or event may no longer be available.

  • Click OK OK button on Roku remote to resume from the paused point

  • Jump to the current show by clicking Jump to live

NOTE: You might not be able to resume watching from where you left off if you leave and come back after a few hours. How long you can be away depends on the streaming service.

How to fix Live TV Pause buffering after resuming from screensaver


Some television systems may have a screensaver feature which can affect Live TV Pause.

  • Change power on settings: Go to Settings > System > Power and make sure Power on is not set to Live TV or Last used TV input
  • Disable screensaver settings: Go to Settings > Theme > Screensaver wait time and select Disable screensaver

How to fix blocky or black TV screen during Live TV Pause


A blocky or black screen may be due to over-the-air signal problems or a faulty USB flash drive.

  • Adjust the HDTV antenna: Environmental conditions may affect the over-the-air signals the TV may receive. Fix the signal quality by adjusting the position or location of the HDTV antenna
  • Use a different USB flash drive: Some flash drives might be too slow for live recording. To avoid recording and playback issues, use at least a 2.0 USB flash drive with 16gb of memory

TIP: Check the signal strength by tuning in to an over-the-air channel using your Roku remote. The more signal bars on screen, the stronger the signal strength.

Last updated at 4/21/2026 4:07:12 PM


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