The invention discloses a start working method of a hydrogenation catalyst. The start working method comprises following steps: 1, a sulfuration-type hydrogenation catalyst is delivered into a reactor; 2, an insert gas is introduced into the reactor to replace air in the reactor, and the sulfuration-type hydrogenation catalyst is subjected to sulfuration in the insert gas atmosphere; 3, after sulfuration, the inert gas is replaced by hydrogen gas, the pressure and the temperature in the reactor are adjusted to a reaction pressure and a reaction temperature when gas flow is stable, and a raw material oil is introduced for hydrogenation, wherein the sulfuration-type hydrogenation catalyst comprises a hydrogenation active metal component, a carrier, and an organic compound. In start working sulfuration, the metal on the surface of the hydrogenation catalyst is subjected to in-suit sulfuration directly, generation reaction of hydrogen sulfide and sulfuration reaction of hydrogen sulfide with active metal are not needed, the initial sulfuration temperature in catalyst start working is increased greatly, rapid temperature increasing in catalyst sulfuration is avoided, and start working time is shortened greatly.