One tap tells us which iPad rule is silencing the music apps. Nothing leaves this device.
If everything measures fine but you hear nothing, the sound is being muted outside the browser. Check,
in this order:
- Control Center mute — swipe down from the top-right; if the bell shows 🔕 the iPad is muted.
Web Audio obeys that mute; video and music apps usually do not. This is the single most common cause.
- Side switch — Settings → General → "Use Side Switch to". If it is set to Mute, the
switch on the side silences Web Audio.
- Output route — if Bluetooth headphones or a speaker are connected but off, sound goes nowhere.
Check Control Center's AirPlay/audio tile.
- Volume — and make sure Safari is not playing through a muted external display.