WCAG 1.2.2: How to Fix Missing Captions on Prerecorded Video

Last updated: 2026-03-22

Level A Perceivable WCAG 1.2.2

What This Criterion Requires

WCAG 1.2.2 requires that captions are provided for all prerecorded audio content in synchronized media. Synchronized media refers to video that contains an audio track, meaning this criterion applies to any prerecorded video with spoken dialogue, narration, or meaningful sounds. Captions must include all spoken dialogue, identify speakers when it is not visually obvious who is speaking, and describe relevant non-speech audio information such as sound effects, music, and laughter that are important to understanding the content. Captions differ from subtitles in that they are designed for users who cannot hear the audio and therefore include non-speech sounds. Auto-generated captions from platforms like YouTube are a starting point but often contain errors and must be reviewed and corrected to meet this requirement. Captions should be synchronized accurately with the audio, appearing and disappearing at appropriate times.

Why It Matters

Captions are essential for people who are deaf or hard of hearing to access video content that includes audio. Approximately 466 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss, and this number is projected to grow significantly. Without captions, these users are completely excluded from understanding video content that relies on spoken dialogue, narration, or sound effects. Captions also benefit users watching video in noisy environments such as public transportation, users in quiet settings like libraries or shared offices, non-native language speakers who find reading easier than listening, users with auditory processing disorders, and users with cognitive disabilities who benefit from both hearing and reading content simultaneously. Studies consistently show that a large percentage of video viewers watch with captions enabled even when they have no hearing impairment. Providing accurate captions is not only a legal requirement but also expands your audience reach significantly.

Common Failures and How to Fix Them

Video element without a captions track

An HTML5 video with spoken audio does not include a track element for captions. Users who cannot hear the audio have no text alternative for the spoken content.

Inaccessible 
<video controls>
  <source src="/videos/product-demo.mp4" type="video/mp4">
</video>
Accessible 
<video controls>
  <source src="/videos/product-demo.mp4" type="video/mp4">
  <track kind="captions" src="/captions/product-demo.vtt" srclang="en" label="English captions" default>
</video>

Auto-generated captions with uncorrected errors

A video relies on YouTube or another platform's auto-generated captions that contain transcription errors, missing speaker identification, and no non-speech audio descriptions. Auto-captions alone do not satisfy this criterion.

Inaccessible 
<!-- Relying on YouTube auto-captions without review -->
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/abc123" title="Product announcement video"></iframe>
<!-- Auto-caption reads: "we are lunching a new product" instead of "launching" -->
Accessible 
<!-- YouTube video with manually reviewed and corrected captions uploaded -->
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/abc123" title="Product announcement video"></iframe>
<!-- Caption file has been reviewed and corrected:
     [Speaker: CEO Jane Smith]
     We are launching a new product today.
     [applause]
     Thank you all for being here. -->

Captions missing speaker identification and sound descriptions

A video includes captions for spoken dialogue but fails to identify different speakers or describe important non-speech audio such as music, sound effects, or environmental sounds.

Inaccessible 
WEBVTT

00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:03.000
Welcome to the show.

00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:06.000
Thank you for having me.
Accessible 
WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.000
[upbeat intro music]

00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:03.000
<v Host>Welcome to the show.</v>

00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:06.000
<v Guest>Thank you for having me.</v>

How to Test

  1. Identify all prerecorded video content with audio on the page and check that each video has captions available, either through a track element or the hosting platform's caption feature.
  2. Play the video with captions enabled and verify that all spoken dialogue is accurately transcribed, speakers are identified, and relevant non-speech audio (music, sound effects) is described.
  3. Check caption timing to ensure captions are synchronized with the audio and do not appear too early or too late.
  4. Verify that captions are readable with sufficient contrast and do not obscure important visual content in the video.

CMS-Specific Guidance

This criterion commonly causes issues on these platforms:

Further Reading

Related WCAG Criteria