A process for producing short-chain olefins by conversion of oxygenates in a multi-stage fixed-bed reactor, in which the individual stages for reaction zones are covered with beds of a granular, form-selective zeolite catalyst and the feed mixture containing oxygenates is added distributed over the reaction stages. An increase of the availability of the fixed-bed reactor for the olefin production with the same or an increased yield of short-chain olefins is achieved in that one or more reaction zones are charged with a distinctly reduced mass flow of the feed mixture containing oxygenates, wherein the reduced mass flow fraction is distributed over other reaction zones.