- Success Criterion 1.4.2
- Conformance level A
- W3C reference F93
Autoplaying Video or Audio With No Way to Pause It
1.4.2 — Audio Control
Scenario
Setting
A video streaming service's show detail page
What’s wrong
An HTML5 video/audio autoplays and the page gives no way to pause or stop it.
Example
<video src="trailer.mp4" autoplay loop></video>
<!-- show detail page trailer plays with sound, controls attribute omitted -->Why it matters
A visitor previewing a show has the trailer's audio compete with their screen reader announcing the page title and description.
How to test
Load a page with an HTML5 audio/video element that autoplays: check whether native or custom controls let you pause it immediately.
How to fix
Either mute autoplaying video by default or add native controls so viewers can pause it themselves.
<video src="trailer.mp4" muted controls></video>Outcome
A visitor reads the show synopsis in peace, then taps play on the trailer only when they're ready to watch it.
Who is affected
Screen reader users and people with attention or auditory-processing conditions who can't focus with unrequested audio playing.
Learn more
- Understanding Understanding document (opens in a new tab)
- Technique Related technique (opens in a new tab)
Related scenarios
- Page Audio That Autoplays Past 3 Seconds With No Control
- Background Music That Autostarts With No Visible Player
- Autoplaying Hero Video With Sound and No Pause Button
- Embedded Ad or Carousel iframe That Starts Playing Audio
- Audio That Starts on a Single-Page-App Route Change
- Looping Notification Sound With No Way to Turn It Off