All WCAG criteria
WCAG 1.4.2 · PerceivableLevel A

1.4.2Audio Control

Auto-playing audio longer than 3 seconds must include a pause/stop control or per-track volume control independent from system volume.

Common failures

Patterns that fail this criterion.

  • 01Auto-playing background music on a marketing site
  • 02Auto-playing video with audio in a hero section
How to test

Testing approach: manual.

Manual — open the page; confirm no audio plays unprompted, OR a clear mute/pause control is available within reach of the audio start.

How to fix

Remediation steps.

  1. 1

    Default: no autoplay

    If you can avoid autoplay entirely, do. Most browsers block it anyway.

  2. 2

    If autoplay is required

    Add a visible Pause/Mute control near the audio source, keyboard-accessible.

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