Codoping with ${\mathrm{Zr}}^{4+}$ ions enhances the 1.54 μm emission in $\mathrm{Yb}/\mathrm{Er}\text{:}{\mathrm{LiNbO}}_3$ crystal by about three times. Optical damage resistant ${\mathrm{Zr}}^{4+}$ ion increases the maximum phonon energy of $\mathrm{Er}\text{:}{\mathrm{LiNbO}}_3$ host, which is favorable for the nonradiative relaxation from ${}^4{I}_{11/2}$ to ${}^4{I}_{13/2}$ state (Er). The time decay spectra show that the incorporation of ${\mathrm{Zr}}^{4+}$ ions leads to a shortening lifetime of ${}^4{I}_{11/2}$ state (Er), increasing the nonradiative relaxation rate of ${}^4{I}_{11/2}\to {}^4{I}_{13/2}$ (Er) in $\mathrm{Yb}/\mathrm{Er}\text{:}{\mathrm{LiNbO}}_3$. The 1.54 μm emission enhancement is important to telecommunication application.