<video> or <audio> elements must not play automatically

Moderate

What is the problem?

The "no-autoplay-audio" rule ensures that audio does not automatically play, instead a user should explicitly play the audio.

Impacted Groups

Blind
Deafblind
Cognitive

Why is this important?

Unexpected audio can be disruptive and frustrating for users, especially those in public settings or with auditory sensitivities. It can also interfere with other audio sources, such as notifications or spoken content from screen readers.

How to solve this issue

To fix this issue, avoid autoplaying audio for more than 3 seconds. If autoplay is necessary, provide a clear and easy-to-use control to pause or mute the audio. This gives users the choice to control the audio playback and prevents unexpected interruptions.

Rule Information

Rule ID

no-autoplay-audio

Severity

Moderate

Manual Review Required

Yes

Rule Group

WCAG 2.0 Level A & AA Rules

Guidelines

  • WCAG 2.1 (A)
  • WCAG 2.0 (A)
  • WCAG 2.2 (A)
  • Trusted Tester
  • EN 301 549

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