The present application discloses an array substrate, a preparation method thereof, and a display panel, which are used to prevent the semiconductor region of the active layer of the thin film transistor from being exposed to light, improve the working stability of the thin film transistor, avoid uneven display images, and improve the display effect. The array substrate provided by the present application includes: a base substrate, a light-shielding layer on the base substrate, a buffer layer on the light-shielding layer, an active layer on the buffer layer, and a light-shielding portion; the buffer layer has a groove; The active layer includes: a semiconductor region, a first conductive region and a second conductive region connected to the semiconductor region; the semiconductor region and the light shielding portion fill the groove; the shape of the orthographic projection of the light shielding portion on the substrate is annular, and the semiconductor region The side surface of the shading portion is completely surrounded by the shading portion, and the first conducting region and the second conducting region are located on the shading portion and the semiconductor region; the orthographic projection of the light shielding layer on the base substrate covers the orthographic projection of the semiconductor region on the base substrate.