# WCAG 2.2 – 1.4.2 Audio Control

- Level: A
- Principle: 1 Perceivable
- Guideline: 1.4 Distinguishable
- Introduced in: WCAG 2.0

## What the rule requires

Sound that starts by itself and plays for more than 3 seconds can be paused or turned down. Otherwise it drowns out the screen reader.

## How to get it right

Best: never autoplay sound. If you must, provide a clearly visible pause button at the very start of the page.

## Who benefits

- Blind people
- People with cognitive disabilities

## Sources

- [This rule on wcag.dehl.net](https://wcag.dehl.net/en/wcag/1-4-2/)
- [Official W3C explanation](https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/audio-control)
- [Techniques (WCAG Quick Reference)](https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/quickref/#audio-control)

_Plain-language explanation. Only the original W3C text is normative._