How can I check for physical obstructions that might cause Epson Error 00043?

With the printer turned off and unplugged, carefully open the scanner unit or access cover to expose the internal components. Gently move the print head carriage to the center (if it's not already there) and thoroughly inspect the entire paper path and the area where the print head moves. Look for any small pieces of paper, paper clips, staples, or other debris. Remove any obstructions found using tweezers if necessary, ensuring not to touch the encoder strip or print head nozzles.