PurposeTo perform a meta‐analysis identifying the modifiable risk factors of cognitive frailty in the elderly.MethodsWe systematically searched databases including PubMed, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform from January 01, 2017 to March 26, 2022. Quantitative, original research reporting associated factors were included.Findings7,854 records in total were identified, of which 14 articles (1 prospective, 13 cross‐sectional) with 36 factors were included. Studies on cognitive frailty included 20,390 community‐dwellers (≥60 years) from three countries. Meta‐analysis indicated that depression [OR = 3.60, 95%CI (2.25,5.78), p < 0.01] and sleep problems [OR = 2.36, 95%CI (1.62,3.43), p < 0.01] were associated with cognitive frailty.ConclusionsEffective interventions targeting depression and sleep problems may lower the risk of cognitive frailty in the community seniors but need further study in high‐quality, prospective studies.Implications for Nursing PracticeBuilding on previous work, the objectives of this systematic review and meta‐analysis were to explore potential modifiable risk factors for cognitive frailty in community‐dwelling older adults, which is expected to throw light on the prevention of cognitive frailty.