# Ensoniq ESQ-1 boots to self-test, but keyboard, MIDI and sound all work

**URL:** <https://forums.syntaur.com/t/ensoniq-esq-1-boots-to-self-test-but-keyboard-midi-and-sound-all-work/9541>\
**Category:** Synth Repair\
**Tags:** ensoniq, esq-1-metal-case\
**Created:** [August 25, 2026, 8:37am UTC](https://forums.syntaur.com/t/ensoniq-esq-1-boots-to-self-test-but-keyboard-midi-and-sound-all-work/9541 "2026-08-25T08:37:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 2

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**Author:** ![Didier](https://forums.syntaur.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/41988e/32.png) [@Didier](https://forums.syntaur.com/u/Didier)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 9:49am UTC](https://forums.syntaur.com/t/ensoniq-esq-1-boots-to-self-test-but-keyboard-midi-and-sound-all-work/9541/2 "2026-08-25T09:49:08Z")

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I had a similar experience, which I described in the following post last May :

> [@Ensoniq ESQ-1 : Successful repair of dead keyboard](https://forums.syntaur.com/t/ensoniq-esq-1-successful-repair-of-dead-keyboard/9426/6):
>
> Hello, I wasn’t as lucky as you. The unit on my workbench was stuck on the second startup screen. None of the panel buttons had any effect. However, in the Keypad/Display board’s self-test mode, they were recognized. The keyboard wasn’t working either, but my ESQ-1 was working via MIDI. After some discussions with Rainer Butchy, we strongly suspected the 6500/11 Keyboard, for which there is no clone. Fortunately, I had bought a disassembled ESQ-1 for parts some time ago. Replacing it with t…

I am at your disposal if you need further information !

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