The invention concerns a method of operating a wind power installation in which the rotor is brought to a halt and fixed, comprising the steps: braking the rotor, positioning the rotor at a stopped position, and fixing the rotor in the stopped position. According to the invention it is provided that an end position is predetermined, the rotor is braked in regulated fashion to a stopped position associated with the end position, and for positioning for the predetermined end position the rotor is braked in an automated procedure until stopped at the stopped position, and for fixing in the stopped position a mechanical fixing device is applied, in particular automatically.