A method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine which allow monitoring of errors during combustion without using a pressure sensor are provided. The internal combustion engine includes a final controlling element in an exhaust system of the internal combustion engine and a signal production unit for producing a signal as a function of a setting of the final controlling element. The signal is analyzed for a characteristic property of the signal. A value for the characteristic property of the signal is compared to a predefined value. An error is recognized as a function of a deviation of the value for the characteristic property of the signal from the predefined value during a fired operation of the internal combustion engine.