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 a sound for longer than 3 seconds, check:

• there is a mechanism to pause or stop it or change its volume, including to zero
• any mechanism to control the sound is accessible itself
• the volume change is independent 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 use a mechanism 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 near whatever creates that sound

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.