Skip to content

Learn

1.4.2 Audio Control

Audio that plays on its own for more than 3 seconds can be paused or stopped, or its volume set apart from the system volume.

Level A

What the automated checks look for

Sounds play on their own with no native controls

Sound started on its own and kept playing, which drowns out a screen reader.

Who it affects. Screen reader users can't hear their screen reader over the sound, and may not find the control to stop it.

How to fix it. Don't start sound on page load. If it must play, start it muted, stop it within 3 seconds, or put a pause control first on the page.

<audio src="/theme.mp3" controls></audio>

Audio elements play on their own for too long

Sound that plays on its own drowns out a screen reader.

Who it affects. Screen reader users can't hear their screen reader over the audio, and may not find the control to stop it.

How to fix it. Don't autoplay audio for more than 3 seconds. Start muted, or give a visible control to pause it.

<video src="/intro.mp4" autoplay muted controls></video>

Read more