An error signal detecting apparatus for an optical recording/reproducing apparatus, the error signal detecting apparatus including a photodetector to receive light reflected and diffracted by a recording medium, and a signal processor to detect an error signal by calculating a detection signal of the photodetector. The photodetector includes a plurality of light receiving areas to independently receive light of a light area in which the profile of the light changes to the opposite profile according to the tangential tilt of the recording medium. The signal processor detects a tangential tilt error signal from detection signals of the light receiving areas. Thus, a signal output from the error signal detecting apparatus does not change when a shift is generated in the objective lens or the distance between the objective lens and the disc is deviated from the on-focus position. Also, a change in the profile of the light beam according to a relative tangential tilt with respect to the objective lens of a recording medium in land/groove format can be properly detected so that an accurate tangential tilt error signal can be detected.