The factors affecting the asphaltene stability in crude oil are complex，and the mechanism of the change of crude oil composition on the stability of asphaltene is still unclear. On the basis of measuring the density，viscosity，element composition and four components（saturated hydrocarbon，aromatic hydrocarbon，resin and asphaltene）content of 10 different crude oil samples， the composition of 10 crude oil samples and their interaction characteristics with asphaltene were studied by means of field emission scanning electron microscopy，Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy，X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and Zeta potential evaluation. The influence of wax，water and inorganic salt on the stability of asphaltene. The results showed that the density and viscosity of crude oil were in direct proportion to the content ratio of heavy and light hydrocarbons. When the asphaltene content increased，the H content and molar ratio of H to C in crude oil decreased，while the non hydrocarbon content increased，and the stability of asphaltene decreased. Wax and water would change the composition of crude oil and affect the stability of asphaltene. The contents of inorganic and organic metals in crude oil were 0.0021%—0.0814% and 0.0007%—0.0655%，respectively. Organic metals such as vanadium and nickel would destroy the stability of asphaltene，while inorganic metals in the reservoir would enhance the stability of asphaltene. There were a large number of negatively charged inorganic particles on the surface of asphaltene sediment，resulting in negative Zeta potential of its aqueous solution. When the absolute value of Zeta potential was greater，the stability of asphaltene was better，indicating that the charge generated by inorganic particles could stabilize asphaltene in crude oil and reduce the aggregation tendency of asphaltene. The research results provided a reference for effective prevention of asphaltene deposition and mitigation of deposition damage.