A method for operating an internal combustion engine, especially an internal combustion engine that is operable, at least in a part-load range, in an operating mode with auto-ignition, in which, at an abrupt change in load and/or at a changeover between an operating mode with auto-ignition and an operating mode without auto-ignition, a parameter of the combustion process correlating with the combustion noise is adapted stepwise over a plurality of combustion cycles from a first parameter value before the abrupt change in load or the changeover to a second parameter value after the abrupt change in load or the changeover, by influencing a combustion position of the combustion process.