The 2.85 μm band has garnered significant attention for its wide range of applications in the mid-infrared region, and Ho3+ doped fluorotellurite fiber shows great promise as a gain medium for the 2.85 μm fiber laser. To achieve efficient population inversion for Ho3+ ions at 2.85 μm, Ho3+/Nd3+ co-doped fluorotellurite glasses with low hydroxyl were synthesized. The deactivation effect of Nd3+ ions to Ho3+: 5I7 levels was investigated through emission spectra and lifetime decay curves under 890 nm excitation. The results show that Nd3+ ions can effectively quench the Ho3+: 2.05 μm emission and help the Ho3+: 5I6 → 5I7 transition to overcome the bottleneck of particle population inversion. Ultimately, the particle population inversion corresponding to 2.85 μm luminescence was realized in the Ho3+/Nd3+ co-doped fluorotellurite glass, and indicates that a maximum of 1.64 W laser at 2.85 μm with a slope efficiency of 8.72 % can be realized under 890 nm pump by numerical simulations. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.