1.4.2

1.4.2 Audio Control

WCAG says:

If any audio on a Web page plays automatically for more than 3 seconds, either a mechanism is available to pause or stop the audio, or a mechanism is available to control audio volume independently from the overall system volume level.

When this is applicable

If audio is playing automatically.

Check for longer sounds

Make sure your volume is not muted, then reload the page.

If there is any sound for longer than 3 seconds, check there is an accessible way to either:

• pause and resume it
• stop it
• change and mute its volume independently of the system’s volume

Best practice

• Auto-playing audio should be avoided.
• Avoid using sounds that might be distracting, especially if they could negatively impact the ability to stop the audio.
• The mechanism to stop the sound or change its volume should ideally be either at the top of the page or easily reachable.

Potential critical fail

If this Success Criteria fails it means the whole page fails because there is something interfering with the other content in a way which makes it inaccessible to some people. That includes if third-party content causes this to fail, even if it is otherwise excluded from the audit. See Non-Interference.

Mobile app testing

No difference