The invention relates to a preparation method of 1,4-butanediol. The preparation method mainly solves the problems that yield and selectivity of 1,4-butanediol after hydrolysis of 1,4-diacetoxybutaneare poor caused by poor yield and selectivity of hydrogenation of 1,4-diacetoxybutene in the prior art. The preparation method of 1,4-butanediol comprises the following steps: butadiene, acetic acid and oxygen are taken as raw materials, and an oxyacetylation reaction is proceeded in the presence of an oxyacetylation catalyst to produce 1,4-diacetoxybutene; hydrogen and 1,4-diacetoxybutene are reacted to produce 1,4-diacetoxybutane in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst; and 1,4-diacetoxybutan is hydrolyzed to produce 1,4-butanediol; wherein the hydrogenation catalyst employs activated carbon as a carrier, and active components of the hydrogenation catalyst comprise Pt element and a co-catalyst element which comprises at least one metal element selected from group IIIA metals and group VB metals.