The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of polyether carbonate polyols from one or more H-functional starter substances, one or more alkylene oxides and carbon dioxide in the presence of at least one double metal cyanide catalyst, wherein the cyanide-free metal salt, the metal cyanide salt or both the mentioned salts used for the preparation of the double metal cyanide catalyst contain(s) from 0.3 to 1.8 mol base equivalents (based on 1 mol of the metal cyanide salt used for the synthesis of the catalyst) of alkaline metal hydroxide, metal carbonate and/or metal oxide.