In a method for operating a converter (1), in which the converter (1) is mounted in a carrying ring (3) by means of carrying journals (2), a gear mechanism (4) is mounted in a floating manner on the carrying journals (2), the converter (1) is configured, as a result, such that it can tilt about its horizontal axis and the gear mechanism (4) is connected rigidly to a pedestal (6) by a torque support (5), the torque support (5) connects the gear mechanism (4) to the pedestal (6) during the tilting operation of the converter (1), and the torque support (5) is released from the pedestal (6) or from the gear mechanism (4) or from both during operation of the converter (1).