A method for operating an exhaust gas aftertreatment system, having the following steps: determining a permissible energy input into at least one exhaust gas aftertreatment element of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system; ascertaining a current energy input into the at least one exhaust gas aftertreatment element by ascertaining at least one energy input variable which characterizes the current energy input; and actuating an adjusting device which varies a distribution of an exhaust gas mass flow to the at least one exhaust gas aftertreatment element and a bypass path that runs about the at least one exhaust gas aftertreatment element depending on the permissible energy input and the current energy input.