Quick Reference
Element Code: HT-007
Issue: Viewport meta tag includes user-scalable=no or maximum-scale=1
Impact: Users cannot zoom, creating accessibility barriers
Fix: Remove user-scalable=no and maximum-scale restrictions
Detection: Lighthouse, axe DevTools, View Source
What Is This Issue?
Preventing zoom creates significant accessibility problems for users with low vision who need to enlarge content. This violates WCAG requirements for text resizing.
Why This Matters for Your Website
WCAG requires that text can be resized up to 200% without loss of functionality. Blocking zoom prevents this and excludes users who need magnification.
How to Fix This Issue
- Remove restrictions: Delete user-scalable=no and maximum-scale=1
- Use recommended viewport: width=device-width, initial-scale=1
- Test zoom: Verify pinch-zoom works on mobile
Tools for Detection
- Lighthouse: Flags zoom-blocking viewports
- axe DevTools: Accessibility violation report
TL;DR (The Simple Version)
Your viewport tag prevents zooming. Remove user-scalable=no and maximum-scale=1 so people who need to zoom can still read your content.
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