To study the influence of dry-wet cycles on mechanical properties of carboniferous shale, uniaxial compression tests were carried out under different dry-wet cycles, and acoustic emission signals were monitored synchronously during the loading process. Research shows that: the dry-wet cycle promoteed the initial damage of the rock. the peak strength and elastic modulus of the rock sample decreased with increasing dry-wet cycles; the peak ringing count and cumulative ringing count of rock samples gradually decreased with increasing dry-wet cycles. The acoustic emission ringing count showed four phases:a quiet period, a developmental period, a bursting period, and a falling period, which were in good agreement with the stress-strain characteristics, and the peak acoustic emission ringing count can be used as a precursor to rock failure.