Errors Offer Clear Fix Suggestions
What this criterion checks
This criterion maps to 3.3.3 Error Suggestion. A detailed plain-language description is maintained in the WebLens criteria catalogue; the WCAG sub-test breakdown below describes exactly what the agent checks and what it does not.
How it's assessed
WebLens walks each user journey, captures a screenshot at every step, and an agent reasons over that evidence. See the how WebLens works for the full pipeline and the deterministic checks layered in for accessibility.
Sub-test coverage
3.3.3 Error Suggestion is broken into 3 sub-tests. Coverage is honest about where the agent is reliable, where it only partially checks the requirement, and where a human reviewer is still needed.
3 full
- Error messages include suggestions for how to fix the problem (when the system knows how)Full
Our tool triggers form errors and analyzes whether the messages include correction guidance — showing the expected format ("Enter date as MM/DD/YYYY"), listing valid options, or suggesting the closest match. Messages that only identify the error ("Invalid email") without explaining how to fix it are flagged.
- Security and purpose exceptions are correctly appliedFull
Our tool correctly identifies fields where providing suggestions would compromise security (passwords, security questions) or defeat the purpose (quiz answers) and excludes them from being flagged. Most form fields do not qualify for this exception — only genuinely sensitive fields are excluded.
- Suggestions are accessible to screen readers and persist until the user actsFull
Our tool checks that correction suggestions are connected to form fields for screen readers to announce. It verifies the suggestions are part of the text assistive technology reads — not just visual. It also checks that error messages persist until the user corrects the input (rather than auto-dismissing on a timer) and that the user's typed input is preserved after validation errors, not wiped out.
How reliable it is
This criterion is still building up testing data, so confirm its findings as you review. See Accuracy & confidence for how the confidence tags are set.