Time and media · WCAG 2.0 Level A
Delayed refresh under 20 hours must not be used
Ensure <meta http-equiv="refresh"> is not used for delayed refresh.
What it means
The meta-refresh rule flags elements that fail this check. It maps to WCAG success criterion 2.2.1.
Who it affects
Deaf and hard-of-hearing users, screen reader users, and people distracted by motion or sound.
How to fix it
Remove timed meta refreshes and redirect on the server instead.
HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently
Location: https://example.com/newCheck it on your site
Run a free scan. If this rule fails, the results list the affected elements. Deque, which maintains axe-core, also documents this rule in detail: Deque University: meta-refresh.
Quick answers
What does the axe rule "meta-refresh" check?
Ensure <meta http-equiv="refresh"> is not used for delayed refresh.
How do I fix "Delayed refresh under 20 hours must not be used"?
Remove timed meta refreshes and redirect on the server instead.
Who is affected by meta-refresh failures?
Deaf and hard-of-hearing users, screen reader users, and people distracted by motion or sound.
Automated accessibility scan. Results are informational and may not identify every accessibility issue. This service is not legal advice, a compliance certification, or a substitute for comprehensive manual accessibility testing.