A method for controlling inking units having a plurality of zones and/or dampening units in printing presses, includes determining reference values, which are dependent on surface area coverage and/or location, through the use of a computer for the inking zones in the inking unit. Deviations of detected color measuring values from the reference values are calculated for each inking zone. The calculated deviations are compared with data stored in the computer and corresponding with causes of color problems. The computer determines causes of color problems in the inking unit and/or dampening unit by comparison with the data.