Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and an apparatus for processing a network element state. The method includes: obtaining a network element by monitoring network element performance data or an accepted operation request, where the network element is a base station or a cell or a subnet; then obtaining target data corresponding to the network element, where the target data includes at least one of trace data, manual minimization of drive tests data, radio link failure data, a user equipment error report, alarm data, and performance data; subsequently, according to the target data, determining whether the network element is out of service or needs to compensate another network element; and finally, when the network element is out of service or needs to compensate another network element, indicating whether the network element can enter an energy saving state. The present invention is applicable to the field of communications systems.
