In a method for operating a tape storage device comprising a tape head for reading and/or writing data from/to a tape in the tape storage device, a first tape skew value concerning a skew of the tape is determined and the first tape skew value is converted into a first skew control signal by means of a skew feedback controller. A second tape skew value concerning the skew of the tape is determined, and the second tape skew value is converted into a second skew control signal by a feed-forward controller. At least one compensation signal for the second skew control signal is determined, and at least one of a rotational orientation of the tape head and a tape motion direction of the tape is controlled dependent on the second skew control signal and the compensation signal in case the first skew control signal fails.