A method for activating a drive unit of a deflection unit of a two-dimensional microscanner device. First and second control signals for activating the drive unit of the deflection unit are initially generated using a processing unit. The first and second control signals are subsequently transferred to the drive unit. A sinusoidal first movement of the deflection unit about a first axis and a sinusoidal second movement of the deflection unit about a second axis are carried out at a first point in time based on the transferred control signals. The first control signals are then adapted so that a periodic third movement is superimposed on the first movement at a second point in time following the first point in time. Alternatively, the second control signals are adapted so that a periodic fourth movement is superimposed on the second movement at the second point in time following the first.