A method for controlling an internal combustion engine with at least two cylinders in the case of irregular running caused by combustion problems has the following steps: measurement of a segment time of a first cylinder during a first time interval T1 in the sequence of operations of the internal combustion engine, with a corresponding first signal being transmitted as a first actual value to a control, sensing of pressure fluctuations in the second cylinder during a second time interval T2 in the sequence of operations of the internal combustion engine, with a corresponding second signal being transmitted as a second actual value to a control and changing of operating parameters of the at least one cylinder by means of the control on the basis of the first and second signal, when the first and the second actual value each deviate from setpoint values stored in the control.