The Er 3? -Ag co-doped ZnO nanocrystals have been synthesized by citric acid-assisted combustions method. The effect of different concentration of silver nanoparticles (NPs) on Er 3? doped ZnO nanocrystals and the optical behaviors are explored. The nanocrystals were characterized by X-ray diffractions, scanning electron microscopy, UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and photoluminescence, respectively. The luminous intensity of Er 3? doped ZnO nanocrystals was significantly influenced by the concentration of silver NPs. A large enhancement in up-conversion intensity has been observed when the concentration of silver NPs was 0.10 mol%. The effect of localized surface plasmon resonance of silver NPs and the energy transfer between the silver NPs and Er 3? ions ( 2 H 11/2 ? 4 I 15/2 , 4 S 3/2 ? 4 I 15/2 , and 4 F 9/2 ? 4 I 15/2 ) are discussed as the sources of enhancement or quenching.