The present invention relates to a method for operating a washing machine during a washing cycle, the washing machine (10) comprising a washing tub (24) containing a laundry drum (26), wherein said method comprises the steps of: - detecting a liquid level (44) in the washing tub (24) and/or in a draining region thereof during said laundry drum (26) is rotating, - comparing the detected liquid level (44) with an upper threshold value (48), - when the detected liquid level (44) exceeds the upper threshold value (48), reducing the rotational speed of the laundry drum (26) and starting a predetermined monitoring period (54), - detecting the liquid level (44) in the washing tub (24) and/or in the draining region thereof during the predetermined monitoring period (54), - comparing the detected liquid level (44) with a lower threshold value (46) during the predetermined monitoring period (54), and - if the detected liquid level (44) does not decrease or drop below the lower threshold value (46) within the predetermi
