How to fix Lighthouse and WAVE accessibility errors (plain-English)
You ran Lighthouse or WAVE and got a list of accessibility errors. Here's what the most common ones mean and how to fix each on Wix, Squarespace, WordPress or Shopify.
Free checkers like Google Lighthouse, WAVE and axe tell you what failed but not always how to fix it on your platform. This guide translates the errors small-business owners see most often.
"Image elements do not have [alt] attributes"
Images have no text description, so screen readers read the file name or nothing. Add alt text in your builder's image settings (Wix: Settings → What's in the image?; Squarespace: image block Design → Alt text or the image caption field; WordPress: Media Library Alternative Text; Shopify: product media Add alt text). See our alt text examples.
"Background and foreground colors do not have a sufficient contrast ratio"
Text is too light against its background. Normal text needs a 4.5:1 ratio. Darken the text colour in your site styles or theme settings. Our contrast guide shows how to check.
"Buttons do not have an accessible name" / "Links do not have a discernible name"
Usually icon-only buttons (search, cart, social icons). Add a text label or an aria-label:
<a href="https://instagram.com/yourshop" aria-label="Instagram">…</a>
"Form elements do not have associated labels"
Placeholder text isn't a label. Turn on visible field labels in your form settings. See accessible contact forms.
"Heading elements are not in a sequentially-descending order"
You skipped levels (H1 to H4) or used headings just for size. Fix the structure first, then restyle. See heading structure.
"[html] element does not have a [lang] attribute"
Set the site language in your builder's general or language settings. On custom code, use <html lang="en">.
A 100 score isn't the finish line
Automated tools find only part of accessibility barriers. A perfect Lighthouse score doesn't mean every visitor can use your site, and it doesn't certify ADA or any legal compliance. Do a quick keyboard test too.
Want the fixes written for you?
Our $149 Fix-Pack scans up to 10 pages and gives copy-paste fixes for your platform within 48 hours, with a 14-day refund promise. Start with a free homepage snapshot.
Related guides
- Website accessibility remediation services for small businesses: options and prices
- WCAG 2.2 explained for small-business websites
- Squarespace accessibility fixes: alt text, contrast, forms and more
- Wix accessibility fixes: a practical checklist
This guide is general technical information, not legal advice. Following it does not certify ADA or any legal compliance. Automated checks find only part of accessibility barriers.
Check your own site
Run a free homepage snapshot to see your top 3 issues in about a minute, or order the $149 Fix-Pack for up to 10 pages with copy-paste fixes for your platform.