Hello everyone,
I've had a few Focus displays through the years, first on an ElBraille 14, and now on the ElBraille 40. This Focus is the latest one at the time the last ElBraille was released. The ElBraille itself is no powerhouse, but a decent enough machine for every day stuff. I over all like the Focus displays, but an issue I've had with both the 14 and the 40 is dots that get sticky, or don't want to pop up. The only other displays I've ever used were on the Braille Lite back in the day, BrailleNote classic and then the MPower, the Orbit 20, and my Humanware NLS E-reader. I never had issues with bad dots on any of those others, but on both of the Focus displays this has happened. I've tried taking an alcohol pad to the display to clean it, but still, it didn't solve anything.
I really want to get more use out of this display, as the things aren't cheap, but I don't have the money to send it in for repairs. So, any tips would be appreciated.
By Justin Harris, 28 March, 2026
Forum
Assistive Technology
Comments
Have been through this
I have dealt with this issue on my Focus 40 Blue (4th generation) and managed to fix it myself. If you have someone you trust to handle your device—or if you feel confident enough to open it—it can be a relatively straightforward repair, provided that the braille cell itself is not damaged.
From what I remember, the device is secured with about five screws. After opening it, I identify the faulty cell and gently lift it out—it comes out quite easily, almost like a Lego piece. I then reseat it back into place.
The issue with Focus braille cells is usually related to a small copper lever mechanism that pushes the pin up and allows it to drop back down. Sometimes, due to drops or rough handling, the pin becomes slightly misaligned with this lever. When you lift the braille cell, the pin often realigns itself, and the cell starts working again.
I wish I could stretch my arm across the distance and fix yours for you. Over time, this has become such a routine repair for me that even friends with their own Focus devices trust me to handle it. However, this approach only works if the cell itself is not physically damaged.
Braille cells in the Focus are quite different from those in other displays I have used. This has both advantages and disadvantages. On the downside, they are less structurally protected—other displays often have enclosed housings around each cell, while the Focus design leaves them more exposed. On the upside, this makes it much easier to remove and reseat individual cells without disturbing the others.
I hope this explanation is helpful.
Thankss.
Not entirely sure I feel comfortable doing this myself. But it's messing with the dot 1 on a particular cell, where sometimes the dot will come up part way, and sometimes not at all. So not entirely sure if it's a faulty cell, the bad lever or what. I've been pretty careful with it. Never handled after eating as I know crumbs can be horrible for devices like this, and don't recall it ever taking a tumble.
Interesting
I wouldn't do that myself, but interesting nonetheless. Someone actually posted a teardown of the fourth gen Focus 40 blue on Ifixit.
I've got one that I don't use much because I don't have a PC and JAWS, which it's kind of made for, and there are a few annoyances on iOS that mean I don't use it much.
Anyone know how much FS charges to get one serviced? People say it's generally a good idea to get that done from time to time since these things are mechanical. Mine could probably use it since my battery has been weird anyway since I've had it. FS couldn't quote me a ball park price since they said they didn't recognize my serial number. They said they might be able to let me trade it in and upgrade, but I don't know if I want to do that, and I don't know if we know how much the 6th gen will cost.
Stylus
Interesting. What version of Focus are you taking apart? I'd read that the 5th gen changed manufacturing processes to make a stick of them at a time, so I wonder if you are doing this on older models? Nevertheless I don't exactly recommend it but if not in warranty maybe?
I do the old school stylus trick every so often, where you gently and I emphasize gently, use a Braille stylus to press into the pin's hole and move the stylus up and down. And if can feel the pin on the end of the stylus gently wiggle it back and forth slightly. This can help, but of course won't if it is a more serious issue.
@Travis
I have the Focus 40 4th gen. I saw a friend's 5th gen but had not the chance to look inside. but from the feel of it yes it does feel different and there is weight to it.