Code Fix Guide

How to Fix the Missing HTML Language Attribute

The missing language attribute is found on 17%+ of websites and is one of the easiest accessibility issues to fix. Without lang="en" (or your language code) on the <html> element, screen readers don't know which language to use for pronunciation.

Common Errors and How to Fix Them

HTML element with no lang attribute
Problem
<html>
  <head>...</head>
Fix
<html lang="en">
  <head>...</head>
Empty lang attribute
Problem
<html lang="">
Fix
<html lang="en">
Mixed language content without markup
Problem
<p>Notre service de <span>conciergerie</span> est disponible.</p>
Fix
<p>Notre service de <span lang="fr">conciergerie</span> est disponible.</p>

Why This Matters

Missing language attributes violate WCAG 3.1.1 (Language of Page) and 3.1.2 (Language of Parts). Screen readers use the lang attribute to switch pronunciation engines. Without it, an English screen reader might try to pronounce French text with English rules, making content incomprehensible.

Related WCAG Criteria

3.1.1Language of Page

Level A — Understandable

3.1.2Language of Parts

Level AA — Understandable

Find All Your Accessibility Issues Automatically

ADA CodeFix scans your website for WCAG 2.1 AA violations and generates AI-powered code fixes — not vague descriptions, actual code you can copy-paste.

Scan Your Site Free
No credit card required AI-generated code fixes

More Code Fix Guides

How to Fix Missing Alt Text on Images

Missing alt text is the #1 accessibility violation. Learn how to add proper alt attributes to images with code examples and an automated scanner.

How to Fix Low Color Contrast in CSS

Low color contrast is found on 80%+ of websites. Learn the WCAG contrast ratios, test your colors, and fix CSS contrast issues with code examples.

How to Fix Missing Form Input Labels

Form fields without labels are inaccessible to screen reader users. Learn how to properly label inputs with HTML label elements and ARIA attributes.

How to Fix Empty Links and Buttons

Empty links and buttons with no accessible text are a top accessibility violation. Learn how to add descriptive text and ARIA labels with code examples.

How to Fix HTML Heading Structure

Skipped heading levels and missing H1 tags hurt both SEO and accessibility. Learn how to create a proper H1-H6 hierarchy with code examples.

How to Fix Keyboard Navigation and Focus Issues

If your website can't be navigated with a keyboard, it's inaccessible. Learn how to fix tab order, focus styles, keyboard traps, and custom components.