Abstract: An improvement in a process for refining crude glyoxal solutions, especially those obtained by the oxidation of acid aldehyde with nitric acid, wherein the crude glyoxal solution, free of volatile acids, is neutralized, the glyoxal is transformed to the glyoxal semiacetal with an alcohol having 1 to 3 carbon atoms and, after separation of the salts and other impurities, is again hydrolized with water at elevated temperatures. The improvement described involves continuously extracting the glyoxal semiacetal formed with an organic solvent which is immiscible with water, hydrolyzing the extracted glyoxal semiacetal and refining the aqueous glyoxal solution obtained with active charcoal.