The invention relates to a method for modifying cellulose ethers. The inventive method is characterised in that a cellulose ether having a humidity content of between 5 and 90% is intensively mixed with between 0.1 and 5 wt. %--in relation to the dry cellulose ether--of an additive or an additive mixture in the form of an aqueous or organic suspension or solution, at temperatures of between 20 and 100.degree. C., and the mixture obtained is then dried.