WCAG A/AA requirement Priority: Moderate
Some videos or sounds start playing with audio by themselves
A video or audio element is set to start on its own with sound, for example a hero video, a product video or background music, and there may be no easy way to stop it.
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Why it matters to your customers
Sound that starts by itself talks over screen readers, so blind shoppers may not hear the menu, product details or cart. Customers with attention difficulties or sensitivity to sound can find it hard to stay on the page.
Who is affected
- blind customers
- screen reader users
- people with attention difficulties or sensitivity to sound
How to fix it
Do not autoplay video or audio with sound; it is best when customers press play themselves. If a video must start automatically, add the muted attribute (or use a video without an audio track), or make sure the sound stops within 3 seconds. Always provide visible pause and mute controls (the controls attribute or the player's own buttons) that also work with the keyboard.
On Shopify
Usually a video section in the theme or a background video set to autoplay, sometimes a video or music app. Turn on the theme's muted autoplay option or add muted to the video tag in the section's Liquid file; check the settings of video apps.
On Shoptet (CZ)
Rare in standard templates; usually a video or custom HTML inserted into a page or banner. Remove autoplay or add muted in that code; for template changes ask Shoptet or a partner.
On PrestaShop
Usually a video in the home page slider, a theme module or custom HTML on a CMS page. Add muted or remove autoplay in the module settings or the theme's .tpl templates.
On WooCommerce
Usually a hero or background video in a page builder (Elementor, WPBakery and similar), a slider plugin or an embedded player. Enable the mute option in the widget settings or switch autoplay off; check slider and video plugins.
Standards
| Standard | Clause |
|---|---|
| WCAG 2.2 | 1.4.2 (A) Audio Control |
| WCAG 2.1 | 1.4.2 (A) Audio Control |
| WCAG 2.0 | 1.4.2 (A) Audio Control |
| EN 301 549 4.1.1 | 9.1.4.2 |
| EN 301 549 3.2.1 | 9.1.4.2 |
| Section 508 2017 | E205.4 |
| ДСТУ EN 301 549 2022 | 9.1.4.2 |
Automated check: axe-core rule no-autoplay-audio.
dequeuniversity.com, github.com, www.w3.org
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