Method and apparatus for controlling internal combustion engine

An apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine in which an air-fuel ratio sensor having a built-in heater is provided in an exhaust passage, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory including at least one computer program, the at least one memory and the at least one computer program configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to
• execute a first processing in automatic stopping of the internal combustion engine, the first processing configured to control the heater so that an element temperature of the air-fuel ratio sensor becomes a first temperature that is below an activation temperature range in which the air-fuel ratio sensor is activated and is also below a desorption temperature range in which HC components that are adsorbed on the air-fuel ratio sensor desorb therefrom, and
• execute a second processing in the automatic stopping of the internal combustion engine in a case where, after the element temperature of the air-fuel ratio sensor becomes the first temperature, it is estimated that an amount of HC components adsorbed on the air-fuel ratio sensor increases to exceed a first predetermined amount, the second processing configured to control the heater so that the element temperature of the air-fuel ratio sensor becomes a second temperature that is included in the desorption temperature range.