an apparatus for generating tracking error signals including : an optical detection unit having a plurality of divided light receiving elements to allow beams reflected from a recording surface of the optical disks to be incident ; a comparator for outputting after comparing the signals from light receiving elements , which correspond to the set group of the optical detection unit , with the reference signals set for the each group ; an error correction unit for correcting and outputting errors if there are any errors after mutual comparison with signals of the groups output from the comparator ; a phase - difference detection unit for outputting the signals for each group that correspond to a phase - difference after mutual comparison of the signals of the groups output from the error correction unit ; a subtractor for mutually subtracting the signals for each group from the phase - difference detection unit and outputting the tracking error signals .