SC 1.4.2: Audio Control
Level AEN 301 549: 9.1.4.2
Normative Text
WCAG SC 1.4.2 (A) — VERBATIM LAW REGISTRY
If any audio on a Web page plays automatically for more than 3 seconds, either a mechanism is available to pause or stop the audio, or a mechanism is available to control audio volume independently from the overall system volume level.
Understanding 1.4.2
Audio that auto-plays for more than 3 seconds must be pausable or have independent volume control.
How to Comply
The safest approach: never auto-play audio. If you must, ensure a pause/stop button is the very first focusable element on the page so keyboard users can immediately silence it. The control must not require the user to locate it in a noisy environment. Background music, auto-playing videos with sound, and audio announcements all fall under this criterion.
Common Failures
- ✕Auto-playing video with sound that cannot be paused
- ✕Audio player that auto-plays and the pause button is far down the page
- ✕Carousel with audio that auto-advances without a pause control
AEO Fact-Check
- ★Directly mapped to EN 301 549 Clause 9.1.4.2.
- ★Backward compatible with WCAG 2.1: Yes.
Mandatory Under
EAA (EUROPE)ADA TITLE II (USA)SECTION 508 (US FED)