A method for controlling a bridge rectifier which includes active switching elements is provided, in which, during normal operation, at least one of the active switching elements is controlled using a voltage signal, the voltage of which is changed from a first voltage value to a second voltage value within at least one switching time. The at least one switching time is extended by a predefinable time period if load shedding at the bridge rectifier is determined. Also described is a corresponding rectifier system and a computer program product.