The invention discloses a preparation method of a nano complex diamond-like coating layer. The method utilizes the cathode arc discharge controlled by a magnetic field, and excessive ethyne gas is introduced to the front of a metal target, and a metal carbide layer is formed on the target surface, metal carbide can be steamed from the target surface while the arc moves; furthermore, under the function of an auxiliary magnetic field, the front of the arc target utilizes the arc discharge to generate strong plasma ionized ethyne gas, and generate high ionized carbon ions; under the function of bias, the metal carbide steamed from the target surface and carbon ions generated by ethyne form a carbide doped nano complex diamond-like coating layer. The diamond-like coating layer prepared by the invention has the advantages of high coating hardness, strong adhesive force, high coating growing speed and production efficiency, low production cost and simple equipment structure, etc.; the invention can be applied to preparing the diamond-like coating layer of different thickness on all kinds of workpieces such as hard alloy, high speed steel, stainless steel, carbon steel, die steel, etc. according to different using requirements.