Perceivable · Level A · Introduced in WCAG 2.0
WCAG 1.4.2: Audio Control
Published by whatisADA / Grow Wild Agency · Updated
What this criterion means
Audio that starts automatically and continues for more than three seconds needs a way to pause or stop it, or a volume control independent of the system volume. Competing audio can prevent screen-reader users from finding that control.
A practical example
A landing page starts a narrated welcome message. The simplest improvement is to wait for the visitor to press Play; if it starts automatically, a promptly available Stop control must work without searching through the page.
How to check it
- Load the page in a fresh state and observe any automatically started audio.
- For audio longer than three seconds, locate and operate the stop, pause or independent-volume control.
- Test the control with a keyboard while a screen reader is speaking, including how early it is reached.
What can be missed
Turning down system volume also turns down assistive speech and does not meet the independent-control option. Avoid auto-starting sound whenever possible.
Record your test
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These are your observations, not automated results or a conformance certificate. A complete evaluation needs appropriate scope, supported technologies, all applicable criteria and relevant page states.
Primary sources and scope
This is independent implementation guidance with original examples. The linked standard contains the full definitions, exceptions and conformance requirements. A criterion or checklist alone does not establish legal applicability or whole-site conformance.