The damage of pulse compression gratings is the key factor offecting the stable operation and power improvement of chirped pulse amplification system. In this paper, the laser-induced damage mechanism of pulse compression grating under laser radiation is summarized, the effects of surface morphology, processing mode, structural defects and surface pollution on grating damage are explored, and the internal causes of damage are explained from the perspective of micro damage mechanism. In the aspects of laser pretreatment, processing technology and surface pollutant removal of pulse compression grating, the internal factors to improve the grating damage threshold are analyzed, and the technical measures to improve the grating damage threshold are given. A combination of various measures is proposed to improve the laser-induced damage threshold of the grating. The research on laser damage mechanism and threshold of pulse compression grating has practical significance for the stable operation of pulse compression grating system and lays a foundation for the output of high energy density of laser device. Finally, this paper puts forward the scientific and technical problems of grating’s laser-induced damage research, which provides new ideas for improving the laser-induced damage threshold of pulse compression grating, and help the development of major scientific devices and important technical fields.