Youtube pause

Tried that on The CW Network and did not work, just took you all way out to Episode listings.

Did work on a few other channels I tried, depends on the channel it seems.

YES, THIS!
Finally! Thank you!

But, since Roku remotes generally have 3 buttons that could be considered a "back" button (2 different LEFT arrows, plus what I know as the "instant replay" button), I'm going to specify that the one I just used that finally worked was the TOP-MOST LEFT ARROW button that one might call a "back" button.

On MY remote, it sits at the top, in a row of only 2 buttons JUST below the POWER button at the very top. Of those 2 buttons, the LEFT button is of a standard ARROW WITH A SHAFT pointing LEFT (as opposed to just the "<" sign). THAT is the "BACK BUTTON" THAT WORKS in this scenario. (The only other button on that row is the HOME button, with an icon of a house.)

Last comment: I came here searching for a solution to this same issue in the Netflix app on a TCL Roku TV. So, this worked for me in Netflix, but I haven't tried it yet in YouTube. I'm crossing my fingers that it works there too, because this has become super frustrating in MOST apps since I bought this TV less than a year ago!

CLEARLY, this has been an ongoing issue that is DEFINITELY A ROKU ISSUE!
I have multiple other ways to access all the same streaming content ON MY TCL ROKU TV (Apple TV, PS4, "Smart" BR player, FireTV Stick, Chrome Stick). Plus, I can of course watch things on my PC, my Mac, my iPhone, my iPad, etc. We all have soooo many ways to check CS's claims when they start playing the finger-pointing game. If we can access the same apps via different platforms, and we don't have the same issues as we do when accessing that content with our ROKU devices...guess what conclusion most logical people generally come to!

HEY ROKU...PAY ATTENTION: When the exact same issues that YOUR CUSTOMERS (the ones that pay your salaries) complain about happen on EVERY APP WE USE on THE ROKU PLATFORM, we KNOW you're lying when you try to tell us it's the app developer's fault!

ROKU, please TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, and then FIX THESE ISSUES!!!

If you don't take care of your customers, you won't be around much longer. 

The only way that I know of to get a clear pause using Roku to watch YouTube. first, Hit the pause button. Second, hit the back arrow.  Works on the TLC Roku and with the Roku remote on the other TV's. GOOD LUCK 

Though I agree and sympathize with your "pause dimming/obscuring frustration", you are wasting your time taking this issue to Roku, as indeed it is the channel/app providers that control their channel/app functionality.

That being said, the prolonged dimming/graying coupled with screen obscuring during pause probably comes from a couple of modes of thought by the developers:

1)  Pause obviousness (users know its in pause mode, because the video is obscured in the background and the playback controls are emphasized and show in the foreground).

2) Screen/display protection (to prevent/limit "bern in" and "image retention", the screen is dimmed/obscured to prevent these/make them less likely to happen from a prolonged pause, assuming no screensaver).

Many streaming device channels/app/services seem to subscribe to these "pause principles" and its become pervasive across their apps/services on all platforms, not just Roku.

The solution to this would be an user-configurable app setting "dim/obscure on pause" that is enabled by default (that can otherwise be disabled), however, most service/app developers arent really interested much in the UX (User Experience) as much as they are pushing/maximizing content availability and usage (as evidence by this and many other non-user-friendly UX default non-alterable settings).

(NOTE: Why is the word "b u r n" banned?: "The message body contains b u r n, which is not permitted in this community. Please remove this content before sending your post.")