diff --git a/workspaces/adoption-insights/.changeset/gentle-keys-focus.md b/workspaces/adoption-insights/.changeset/gentle-keys-focus.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..af03223423
--- /dev/null
+++ b/workspaces/adoption-insights/.changeset/gentle-keys-focus.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@red-hat-developer-hub/backstage-plugin-adoption-insights': patch
+---
+
+Fix keyboard navigation in the header date range dropdown by removing `autoFocusItem: false`, allowing arrow keys to navigate menu items immediately without requiring a Tab press first.
diff --git a/workspaces/adoption-insights/plugins/adoption-insights/src/components/Header/Header.tsx b/workspaces/adoption-insights/plugins/adoption-insights/src/components/Header/Header.tsx
index ce6252fcd4..d07856ba1c 100644
--- a/workspaces/adoption-insights/plugins/adoption-insights/src/components/Header/Header.tsx
+++ b/workspaces/adoption-insights/plugins/adoption-insights/src/components/Header/Header.tsx
@@ -154,7 +154,6 @@ const InsightsHeader: FC<InsightsHeaderProps> = () => {
             disableScrollLock: true,
           },
           MenuListProps: {
-            autoFocusItem: false,
             sx: { display: 'block', flexDirection: 'column' },
           },
         }}