A power converter employing a controller configured to increase a dead time between conduction periods of first and second power switches therein and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the power converter includes first and second power switches coupled to an input thereof, and a sensor configured to provide a sensed signal representative of at least one of a current level and a power level of the power converter. The power converter also includes a controller configured to increase a dead time between conduction periods of the first and second power switches when the sensed signal indicates a decrease of at least one of the current level and the power level of the power converter.