How to fix dlitem on Adobe Commerce (Magento)
Wrap every `<dt>` (term) and `<dd>` (description) element inside a parent `<dl>` element so description list items have their required container.
Steps for Adobe Commerce (Magento)
- Identify which template file renders the offending `<dt>`/`<dd>` elements. Use Magento's template hints (Stores → Configuration → Advanced → Developer → Debug → Enable Template Path Hints) to find the exact .phtml file.
- Navigate to the file in your custom theme under app/design/frontend/[Vendor]/[theme]/. If the file only exists in a module's view/frontend/templates/, copy it into your theme's override path first.
- Open the .phtml file, locate the `<dt>` or `<dd>` tags, and add the appropriate `<dl>` … `</dl>` wrapper.
- Common files to check: Magento_Catalog/templates/product/view/attributes.phtml (product attributes tab), and any custom block templates for FAQs or specifications.
- After saving, run `bin/magento cache:flush` and `bin/magento setup:static-content:deploy` if needed, then verify in browser DevTools.
What is dlitem?
HTML has a special "description list" structure made up of three tags working together: `<dl>` (the list container), `<dt>` (a term or label), and `<dd>` (the description or value for that term). The rule being violated means your page has one or more `<dt>` or `<dd>` elements that are sitting outside of a `<dl>` wrapper — like list items floating in the air with no list around them. This is a structural HTML error that breaks the semantic meaning of the content and violates WCAG 2.x Success Criterion 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships).
Screen readers used by blind and low-vision shoppers rely on correct HTML structure to announce content meaningfully — for example, reading out "Shipping time: 3–5 business days" as a paired term and value. When `<dt>`/`<dd>` elements lack a `<dl>` parent, screen readers cannot convey that relationship, making product specs, FAQs, and shipping information confusing or completely inaccessible for these customers. This directly violates WCAG 2.1 Success Criterion 1.3.1, which is a legal compliance requirement in many jurisdictions (ADA in the US, EN 301 549 in Europe). Beyond legal risk, accessibility failures can cost you customers, damage your reputation, and expose you to demand letters or lawsuits. Fixing this is also a trust signal: Google's crawlers increasingly reward semantically correct, accessible pages.
See the complete Dlitem guide for every platform and the full background.
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