diff --git a/packages/pluggableWidgets/carousel-web/CHANGELOG.md b/packages/pluggableWidgets/carousel-web/CHANGELOG.md
index 446cd0d329..ff8d1c56e2 100644
--- a/packages/pluggableWidgets/carousel-web/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/packages/pluggableWidgets/carousel-web/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -6,6 +6,10 @@ The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/),
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+### Fixed
+
+- Added focus indicator and background to navigation buttons of carousel, removed autoplay by default
+
 ## [2.3.0] - 2025-08-19
 
 ### Changed
diff --git a/packages/pluggableWidgets/carousel-web/package.json b/packages/pluggableWidgets/carousel-web/package.json
index d33019f96f..e5c24c49e0 100644
--- a/packages/pluggableWidgets/carousel-web/package.json
+++ b/packages/pluggableWidgets/carousel-web/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
     "name": "@mendix/carousel-web",
     "widgetName": "Carousel",
-    "version": "2.3.0",
+    "version": "2.3.1",
     "description": "Displays images in a carousel",
     "copyright": "© Mendix Technology BV 2025. All rights reserved.",
     "license": "Apache-2.0",
diff --git a/packages/pluggableWidgets/carousel-web/src/Carousel.xml b/packages/pluggableWidgets/carousel-web/src/Carousel.xml
index 53ee13cd3c..2db73936e0 100644
--- a/packages/pluggableWidgets/carousel-web/src/Carousel.xml
+++ b/packages/pluggableWidgets/carousel-web/src/Carousel.xml
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
                     <caption>Navigation controls</caption>
                     <description />
                 </property>
-                <property key="autoplay" type="boolean" defaultValue="true">
+                <property key="autoplay" type="boolean" defaultValue="false">
                     <caption>Auto play</caption>
                     <description />
                 </property>
diff --git a/packages/pluggableWidgets/carousel-web/src/package.xml b/packages/pluggableWidgets/carousel-web/src/package.xml
index 124bce9c6f..916c59d476 100644
--- a/packages/pluggableWidgets/carousel-web/src/package.xml
+++ b/packages/pluggableWidgets/carousel-web/src/package.xml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
 <package xmlns="http://www.mendix.com/package/1.0/">
-    <clientModule name="Carousel" version="2.3.0" xmlns="http://www.mendix.com/clientModule/1.0/">
+    <clientModule name="Carousel" version="2.3.1" xmlns="http://www.mendix.com/clientModule/1.0/">
         <widgetFiles>
             <widgetFile path="Carousel.xml" />
         </widgetFiles>
diff --git a/packages/pluggableWidgets/carousel-web/src/ui/Carousel.scss b/packages/pluggableWidgets/carousel-web/src/ui/Carousel.scss
index 0a2cc4c54e..b9ae8b301e 100644
--- a/packages/pluggableWidgets/carousel-web/src/ui/Carousel.scss
+++ b/packages/pluggableWidgets/carousel-web/src/ui/Carousel.scss
@@ -1,3 +1,9 @@
+// Atlas UI compatible variable naming for data widgets
+$gray-200: #e3e3e5 !default;
+$spacing-large: 24px !default;
+$focus-outline: 2px solid #264ae5 !default;
+$focus-outline-offset: 2px !default;
+
 .swiper {
     width: 100%;
     height: 100%;
@@ -23,6 +29,20 @@
     align-items: center;
 }
 
+.swiper-button-next,
+.swiper-button-prev {
+    --swiper-navigation-size: 24px;
+    border-radius: 50%;
+    background-color: var(--gray-200, $gray-200);
+    padding: var(--spacing-large, $spacing-large);
+}
+
+.swiper-button-next:focus,
+.swiper-button-prev:focus {
+    outline: var(--focus-outline, $focus-outline);
+    outline-offset: var(--focus-outline-offset, $focus-outline-offset);
+}
+
 .swiper-slide img {
     display: block;
     width: 100%;