The dependence of the negative nonlinear absorption effect on the modulation degree and frequency of the incident laser was investigated in Er3+: LiYF4 crystals. With a decreasing modulation degree, a reverse-phased waveform was obtained in the transmitted waveform for modulation intensities of sinusoidal and rectangle waves. The transmitted waveform was observed symmetrically at modulation frequency of 0. 25 MHz. However, the transmitted waveform was asymmetrical at higher than 0. 5 MHz. In addition, the reverse-phased waveforms were obtained for sample lengths greater than 12 mm in the incident modulation degree of 10 to 56%. The NNA effect was observed at a temperature range of 20 to 500 K. It has been confirmed that a mechanism of the negative nonlinear absorption can be explained by considering an enhanced absorption model for a five-level system of the Er3+ ion.