Focus Not Obscured (Minimum) (2.4.11)

When a user interface component receives keyboard focus, it must not be entirely hidden by author-created content such as sticky headers, footers, or overlays.

WCAG Reference

Applies to: WCAG 2.2 Introduced in: WCAG 2.2 | Level: AA | Read the official specification →

What this rule checks

The scanner verifies that focused elements are not fully concealed behind sticky navigation bars, cookie banners, chat widgets, or other fixed-position elements.

Why it matters

Keyboard users need to see which element has focus to understand where they are on the page. If the focused element is hidden behind a sticky header or modal backdrop, the user loses orientation and cannot confirm their next action.

Common failure patterns

focused items scrolled behind a sticky navigation header
cookie consent banners that cover the bottom of the viewport where focused elements appear
chat widgets or help bubbles that overlay interactive elements
modal backdrops that remain visible and cover page content behind them

Remediation guidance

add scroll padding (e.g., scroll-padding-top) to account for sticky header height
ensure cookie banners and chat widgets do not overlap focusable page content
implement scrollIntoView with appropriate offsets when managing focus programmatically
test by tabbing through the entire page and confirming every focused element is at least partially visible