A method and a device for controlling a voltage-controlled power semiconductor switch that can be switched off again, which has a first and a second connection and a control connection and which is conductive in the switched on state between the first and the second connection is provided. Firstly, a first control voltage comprising a first value is applied to the control connection to switch on the power semiconductor switch. Subsequently, conditions are detected, which indicate the progress of the switch-on procedure of the power semiconductor switch. As soon as conditions are detected, which are indicative of the fact that the switch-on procedure is deemed to be complete, a second control voltage comprising a second value higher than the first value is applied to the control connection to operate the power semiconductor switch in the conductive state with a higher control voltage to reduce its conduction losses.