A method is provide for the safe starting and/or stopping of a rotor of a rotor spinning machine for the production of yarn, the spinning machine having a multiple number of rotors that rotate in a respective rotor housing covered by a lid. Each rotor is driven by its own motor and is held in at least one radially and/or axially active magnetic bearing by means of a position controller. Each motor is in communication with a control unit through a data connection to control the rotor in various operating states. One or more of the following conditions is checked against predetermined target values or states: (1) control for the drive of the rotor; (2) position control for the active magnetic bearings; (3) data connection for controlling the motor. In the event that the predetermined target values or states are not met, start of the rotor is blocked or the motor that is already running is selectively stopped.