- Success Criterion 2.2.1
- Conformance level A
- W3C reference F40
Page Auto-Redirects on a Timer With No Way to Stop It
2.2.1 — Timing Adjustable
Scenario
Setting
A podcast app's episode list
What’s wrong
The page uses a timed auto-redirect (meta refresh) — users are moved to another page before they may have finished reading.
Example
setTimeout(() => logOut(), 60000); // no warningWhy it matters
People who read, type, or move slowly, including many screen-reader users.
How to test
Check the page source for a meta http-equiv="refresh" tag with a nonzero time value: this fails if the user has no way to adjust or turn it off.
How to fix
Remove timed meta redirects — redirect server-side instantly (0 seconds) or let the user choose. setTimeout(() => showExtendSessionPrompt(), 55000); Users need a warning and a way to extend a time limit before it expires, unless the limit is essential (e.g. an auction).
Outcome
On a podcast app's episode list, this barrier is gone for people who read — they no longer have to work around this.
Who is affected
People who read, type, or move slowly, including many screen-reader users.
Learn more
- Understanding Understanding document (opens in a new tab)
- Technique Related technique (opens in a new tab)
Related scenarios
- Page That Auto-Reloads and Resets the User’s Position
- Server Redirect Timeout With No Warning or Way to Extend It
- Session Expiring With No Warning and No Way to Extend It
- Session Warning That Gives Users Less Than 20 Seconds to Respond
- Session Extension Allowed Fewer Than the Required 10 Times
- Timeout Adjustment Option Set Below the Required 10x Default