In this paper, the modulation instability (MI), rogue waves (RWs) and conservation laws of the coupled higher-order nonlinear Schrödinger equation are investigated. According to MI and the 2 × 2 Lax pair, Darboux-dressing transformation with an asymptotic expansion method, the existence and properties of the one-, second-, and third-order RWs for the higher-order nonlinear Schrödinger equation are constructed. In addition, the main characteristics of these solutions are discussed through some graphics, which are draw widespread attention in a variety of complex systems such as optics, Bose–Einstein condensates, capillary flow, superfluidity, fluid dynamics, and finance. In addition, infinitely-many conservation laws are established.