This study was investigated the pretreatment of dye effluent from dyeing process by activated carbon. The study parameters were color strength operating time and types of dyestuff such as direct dye reactive dye acid dye basic dye and disperse dye. The results found the activated carbon was achieved to adsorb the colorant. The pretreatment process used 100 – 200 gram activated carbon to one liter of dye effluent. The contact time was 2 hours at room temperature. The dyeing conditions had an influent for pretreatment process. The acidic condition was favored than neutral and basic condition. In addition the dye removal efficiency was basic dye > acid dye > disperse dye > direct dye > reactive dye.