A method for detecting malfunctioning nozzles of an inkjet printer does not need any sensors, scanning means or processor time. The method includes printing a test pattern with an inkjet printer having at least one array of at least two nozzles, and for each array printing the test pattern includes selecting a nozzle of the array to be investigated, identifying for the nozzle a number of compensating nozzles, each compensating nozzle being suitable to replace the nozzle for printing a dot, and printing a row that includes at least two dot groups and each dot group includes at least one dot. At least one dot group is printed by the nozzle and at least one other dot group is printed by a nozzle of the number of compensating nozzles.