A device for operating an electrical consumer, in particular a solenoid valve, including at least one first circuit which encompasses an activatable first switch and a first freewheeling unit connected or connectable in parallel to the consumer, and including a control unit which is designed for activating the first switch in order to energize the consumer with a predefinable electric current with the aid of pulse width modulation. It is provided that the circuit encompasses at least one second switch and one second freewheeling unit, which is connected or connectable in parallel to the consumer, and that the control unit is designed for activating the second switch in a phase-shifted manner with respect to the first switch in order to energize the consumer.