Various embodiments include a method for operating an internal combustion engine comprising: determining a torque output of each cylinder resulting from a fuel injection; determining a difference in the respective torque output; comparing the difference with a predetermined threshold; determining a respective injection mass; determining a difference in the respective injection masses; comparing the difference with a threshold; if the differences exceed the threshold, determining whether the respective torque outputs correspond to the associated injection mass; and if the respective torque outputs lie outside a predetermined tolerance range for a respective corresponding injection mass, changing an injection time in at least one of the at least two cylinders.