The invention discloses a preparation method of (E)-2, 3-dibromo-2-butene-1, 4-diol. The method consists of the steps of: (1) preparing an aqueous solution of the mixture of 2-butyne-1, 4-diol, a bromide and a bromate; (2) adding dilute sulfuric acid into the aqueous solution of the mixture dropwise at certain temperature, then further carrying out reaction for 10-120min, and then ending the reaction; and (3) conducting pumping filtration, recrystallization, drying and other steps on the reaction product, thus obtaining a white (E)-2, 3-dibromo-2-butene-1, 4-diol crystal. The method provided by the invention has the advantages of low cost, simple operation, safety, environmental protection, high selectivity, few by-product, high yield, etc.