An HF surgical device with an autostart function for cutting and/or coagulating biological tissue with HF current. The device comprises an HF generator for generating HF current, a selected output for connecting a monopolar/bipolar electrode to the HF surgical device, a first measurement device assigned to the output for measuring a first measured value for an impedance of the electrode connected to the output, a first comparator for comparing the first measured value with a first setpoint, for switching-off the first measurement devices and for switching-on a second measurement device if the first measured value is lower than the first setpoint, for measuring a second measured value for the impedance of the connected electrode and a second comparator for comparing the second measured value with a second setpoint and for switching-on the HF current for the output if the second measured value is lower than the second setpoint.