1.4.2: Audio Control

What it means

If audio plays automatically for more than three seconds, provide a way to pause, stop, or mute it — and the control must be available without navigating past the audio source.

Auto-playing sound disrupts screen reader users and people in quiet spaces.

How to fix it

• Avoid auto-play; if used, start muted or stop within three seconds.
• Place pause, stop, or mute near the top of the page or with the media control.
• Ensure the control is keyboard reachable and has an accessible name.
• Do not bury the only mute control inside a hard-to-find menu.

Quick examples

• Good: A hero video is muted by default and shows a visible “Pause” button at the start.
• Bad: Background music loops loudly with no way to stop it without scrolling to the footer.
• Good: An auto-playing promo can be muted from a control in the site header.
• Bad: Audio starts on page load and the only stop control is a tiny icon with no label.