In this article, nonlocal elasticity theory is applied to investigate the vibration response of nanoplates under uniaxially prestressed conditions. Nonlocal elasticity theory takes into account the small-size effects when dealing with nanostructures. Nonlocal governing equations of the prestressed nanoplate are derived and presented. Differential quadrature method is being utilized and numerical frequency solutions are obtained. Influence of small scale and uniaxial preload on the nonlocal frequency solutions is investigated. It is observed that the frequencies for nanoplates under uniaxially prestressed conditions employing classical plate theory are overestimated compared to nonlocal plate solutions. Considering the nonlocal effects, smaller critical compressive load is required to reach the buckling state of a flexural mode compared to the classical plate theory. The present research work thus reveals that the nonlocal parameter, aspect ratios, boundary conditions, and initial uniaxial prestress have significant effects on vibration response of the nanoplates. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3233914]