In order to meet power grid’s requirement of primary frequency regulation(PFR) of hydropower unit, we analyze the typical problems and influencing factors of PFR, and present a method of optimizing the PFR performance of hydropower unit. The method of optimizing PID parameters of hydraulic turbine governor is analyzed in detail. We propose to adjust the PID parameters according to the range of the deviation, and to change the dead band of the PFR calculation. Furthermore, we put forward some suggestions for PFR and AGC(Automation generator control) coordination control. Power regulation mode used as a priority control mode could guarantee the coordination between PFR and AGC. Through hardware modification and internal program of governor, the PFR performance is optimized and improved. The method is applied to a hydropower unit of 600MW for verification, and the result suggests that the PFR performance is improved.