The invention relates to a method for operating a work apparatus having a combustion engine. An ignition device is provided for triggering an ignition spark at a spark plug for igniting a fuel/air mixture in a combustion chamber of the combustion engine. The combustion chamber is bounded by a piston which drives a crankshaft in a rotating manner. In order to avoid the combustion engine stopping in rich mode, the speed (n) of the combustion engine is monitored over the period of time (t, ΔT) and the ignition point (ZZP) of the ignition device is advanced if the speed (n) of the combustion engine lies within a predefined speed range (nmin; nmax) within a predefined period of time (t, ΔT) and then the speed n drops below a speed limit value (nG).