The invention is related to a method for equalizing performance of traffic channels in a WDM system where means for controlling transmitters (12), amplifiers (38) and receivers (14) are provided. Potentially, a number of channels are defined as loading channels (100). The method follows the steps of measuring the optical power at the input (48) of the amplifier (38), setting the power levels of a predefined number of loading channels (100) to a high power level, setting the power level of the traffic channels (200) to a power level less then the power level of the loading channels (100), adjusting the power level of the traffic channels (200), adjusting the power level of the loading channels (100), stabilizing the sum of the optical power measured at the optical amplifier (38), continuing the process for each channel the receiver lock signal (75) is sent back to the transmitters.