Why Auto-Playing Videos Can Be an Accessibility Nightmare (and What to Do Instead)

Have you ever landed on a website, only to be bombarded with a video that starts playing out of nowhere? Maybe the sound blasts through your speakers while you’re in a quiet space, or the motion pulls your focus away from what you were trying to read. It was frustrating (and a little terrifying), right?

Now imagine you’re someone who relies on assistive technology or has sensory sensitivities — that autoplaying video just went from annoying to completely inaccessible.

This exact scenario happened to me last week when I was looking for an experience-focused dinner I remember attending a few years ago called “Dining in the Dark.” I went with a small group of friends and it was really fascinating.

While that original dinner doesn’t exist anymore, another local restaurant is doing something similar. When I clicked on the link to find out more, the video autoplayed and it was LOUD.

I didn’t realize my sound was turned all the way up!

Me, the cat, and my partner all nearly jumped off the couch!

It wasn’t a positive experience opening that webpage. However, it’s the only option in my area for an experience like this, so I’m definitely going to visit. But my perception of the organization took a tilt toward the negative, as a result of loading their website.

With that in mind, let’s break down why auto-playing videos can be a major accessibility barrier and how you can fix the issue without sacrificing engagement.

First, you might already have an idea of the kind of user affected by an auto-playing video, but there are more than you realize!

Who Gets Impacted by Auto-Playing Videos?

Auto-playing videos aren’t just an inconvenience; they actively exclude people from accessing content. Here’s who’s affected and why:

1. People with Cognitive Disabilities (ADHD, Dyslexia, Memory Impairments)

• Sudden movement and sound can be overwhelming and make it hard to focus on the actual content. That was my personal experience.
• People with ADHD may find it impossible to shift their attention back to reading after a video steals their focus. Studies have shown that it takes about 23 minutes to recover focus if distracted like this.
• Those with dyslexia or memory impairments may struggle with processing overload if there’s competing visual and auditory input. These folks might forget why they visited the website in the first place and leave.

2. Screen Reader Users (Blind & Low Vision Users)

• Screen readers and autoplay audio do not mix well. If a video starts talking while a screen reader is reading, it creates a chaotic, layered noise MESS.
• If video controls aren’t properly labeled and keyboard-navigable, blind users may not even be able to stop the video without refreshing the page or navigating away.

3. People with Motor Impairments (Parkinson’s, Cerebral Palsy, etc.)

• Users with limited dexterity might not be able to quickly hit pause or stop, leaving them stuck with a video they can’t control.
• If the video interferes with navigation, it makes the entire website experience more frustrating and inaccessible.

4. People with Sensory Sensitivities (Autism, Vestibular Disorders, PTSD)

• Fast movement or unexpected sound can trigger sensory overload, making it difficult to continue using the site.
• Some users with vestibular disorders (e.g., motion sickness, vertigo) can feel dizzy or nauseous from certain visual effects.
• Sudden loud noises can startle people with PTSD, making them feel unsafe.

5. People with Slow Internet or Older Devices

• Autoplaying videos eat up bandwidth, making pages load slower (or not at all) for users on limited data plans.
• Older devices might lag or crash, especially if the video is high resolution.

Which of these did you already know about? What was new, or a surprise to you?

How to Fix Auto-Playing Videos Without Losing Engagement

You might be thinking (just like the business owner likely thinks): “But videos are engaging! And they explain the experience! I don’t want to remove them.”

I’m not saying don’t have videos!

We just need to implement them in a way that’s user-friendly and accessible. Here are some guidelines to follow:

1. Make Autoplay Opt-In, Not Default

Instead of forcing users to watch a video, let them choose whether they want to play it. This gives control back to the user while keeping your content available. #autonomyMatters

2. If You Must Use Autoplay, Mute by Default

Videos that start muted are much less disruptive. If users want sound, they can turn it on themselves (instead of scrambling to turn it off).

3. Provide Clear, Accessible Controls

• Ensure there is a visible, easy-to-click pause/stop button (with good color contrast!).
• Make sure the controls are keyboard-friendly (TAB and ENTER should work).
• Label controls properly for screen readers (e.g., “Pause video” instead of just “Play”).

4. Offer Captions & Transcripts

• Captions make videos accessible for Deaf and hard-of-hearing users (and are great for people in noisy or quiet environments!).
• Transcripts provide a text alternative, benefiting screen reader users and anyone who prefers reading.

5. Reduce Motion for Vestibular Sensitivities

• Use prefers-reduced-motion settings in CSS so that users who disable animations in their OS settings won’t be forced to watch moving content. (This one was new to me!)

6. Ensure Videos Don’t Loop Indefinitely

• Give users the ability to stop a video once it plays.
• Avoid looping background videos that play forever with no way to pause them.

What Do the Accessibility Guidelines Say?

If you’re wondering whether autoplaying videos can put this business at risk legally, the short answer is yes. Here’s what the accessibility guidelines require:

WCAG 2.1 — Success Criterion 2.2.2 (Pause, Stop, Hide)

• Any moving content that starts automatically must have controls to pause, stop, or hide it.

WCAG 2.2 — Prefers-Reduced-Motion Compliance

• Websites should respect user preferences for motion reduction.

ADA Compliance Considerations

• Businesses have been sued for inaccessible websites, and autoplaying videos can be a violation if they prevent equal access.

Look, I love a good video explainer on a website, but when it’s done wrong, it can alienate a huge portion of users. By making a few simple changes — like turning off autoplay, adding captions, and ensuring accessible controls — this business can make their website more inclusive and user-friendly for everyone.

Let’s make the web a better place, one accessible video at a time.

I’m Maigen Thomas and I’m on a mission to empower 1,000 early-career designers and other digital technologists with the skills and tools they need to increase their socio-economic status.

I’m the Founder of Level 11 Technology, an Apprenticeship Agency. I bring 10+ years of experience in enterprise software SaaS product design and a background in full-stack development to her UX and Gamification Design Consulting. I taught 3 cohorts of the UX/UI Design Bootcamp at UC Berkeley and wrote the $1m flagship UX/UI Design curriculum. Follow me on LinkedIn or join the MaigenUX Patreon for exclusive access to quests (with cash prizes!), professional mentorship and motivation, and Accessibility and Usability learning content.