How To Fix a 4-Way Switch System

[@erikstaciogarcia2421]

Free classes ... i love this channel

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks Erikstacio!

[@angelarueda4038]

It took me 15 years to finally understand 4 way switches. Thank you for your clear explanation!

[@SparkyChannel]

Excellent! Glad I could help.

[@calebjpryor]

You're a saint. My mistake was not reading the back of the 4 way switch. The in and out were mixed up!

[@SparkyChannel]

Sounds good!

[@joedillon159]

There is none better than Sparkman for teaching and learning!

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks Joe!

[@robertwilliams7222]

UK sparky here. It’s very surreal seeing an industry I’ve been in 20 years done differently with different names and colours etc. Feels like I’m a learner again. Great channel.

[@SparkyChannel]

Great point! I've watched some UK electrical videos and feel the same. :)

[@horacequackenbush2799]

Bill, you are gifted teacher and a good soul for sharing your knowledge. Your 3 and 4 way switch videos allowed me to really understand how to solve my issue end my countless stair climbs of testing shame. May you share many more!

[@SparkyChannel]

I hear you brother! Good job!

[@DaireLyne]

This video is exactly what I was looking for. You explained it very well. I'm sorry watching four videos and not one of them explained four way switches as well as you did!! You do a great job and should give yourself a pat on the back. Thank you🙏

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks so much!

[@ThomasEllis-r1e]

A brilliant tutorial! It’s easy to wire a new circuit but troubleshooting someone else’s wiring is a bit more complicated. This guy makes it so simple! The world needs more teachers like this cat!

[@scotlawrence3231]

Followed your instructions and was able to fix an issue with incorrect wiring of a 4-way switch system in my home. Thanks so much for the easy-to-understand and step-by-step guidance.

[@SparkyChannel]

Great to hear!

[@ericharnish4792]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I wasn't sure I'd be able to get my 4-way switch system (with 4 switches) working again after upgrading to paddle switches. But your video laid everything out step by step with just the right amount of detail. The model you created put everything in one place and made it easy to see how everything worked together. This is by far one the most helpful KZbin home improvement videos I've run across. DIYers - if you're looking for the one video to untangle the confusion of 4-way switches, this is it!

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks so much Eric!

[@bobbyusina]

This video made it much easier for me to troubleshoot a 4-way system I had just put new switches in and they didn't work right. Had the load wire on one of the 3-way switches in the wrong place. Rewired correctly, good to go now.

[@SparkyChannel]

Way to go Bobby!

[@kennynguyen951]

Ty ty ! I ran into this same problem and no matter how I switched the wires, it never worked correctly til I watched your video and followed step-by-step. Everything works great now

[@saspiranti]

This is the most comprehensive explanation of the wire system Ive seen. I absolutley understand this now. Well Done.

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks so much!

[@dcuban1]

3 hours trying to figure this out…then came this video 5 mins to fix. Thanks!

[@SparkyChannel]

Excellent!

[@donfitzmahan8866]

Super easy to follow. Helped me fix my problem, which was in the 4-way switch. The IN/OUT pairs were crossed. Thanks so much!

[@jshlnd14]

You sir. Are an absolute gentleman and a scholar. Absolutely saved my butt! Thank you thank you thank you.

[@Cajundawn74]

Best video ever on four way wiring. Spent three days trying to figure this out. Thank you for making a video I could understand

[@petervince2433]

Wow, thank you so much! You couldn't have explained it any easier. And not only did I save money on a service call, you actually taught me something that will stay with me for the rest of my life...

[@SparkyChannel]

Fantastic!

[@carlacarlson6901]

Sparky you solved my problem! Your explanation was spot on. Easy to follow instructions. Now, I won't have to call an electrician.

[@SparkyChannel]

Great job! Thanks for writing.

[@ZL8103]

OMG, I was so confused about multi-way switches until this video. Thanks, Sparky!

[@aliso-pv7ll]

Sparky, at 15:00 when you say: "Now it's time..." when the first 3 way switch is in the up position and the 4 way and the last 3 way switches are in down position and the light is off and you begin running the test for correct wiring, my Mrs. prefers that the 4 switches we have in the living area be in the down position so she will know that the exterior garage lights are off. I met her preference by moving the positions of the travelers in the first 3 way switch, after checking that the lights were on when the if all switches were in the down position. Having done so, and following all safety procedures as in this video, I had all 4 switches in the down position and the exterior lights were off. This preference can be accomplished by doing same with the last 3 way switch. Thanks for all your valuable videos.

[@SparkyChannel]

That's a great point. I didn't want to make my video too complicated so I didn't go into that kind of detail, but thanks!

[@aliso-pv7ll]

@@SparkyChannel Thanks for your reply. As always, I have respect for your views and valuable opinions, and your excellent video productions. Keep up the excellent work. Thanks again.

[@SparkyChannel]

@@aliso-pv7ll Thanks so much! I've really been trying to increase visibility for the viewer with this kind of video. :)

[@illestofdemall13]

The purpose of 3 way and 4 way switches is to be able to control lights from several locations. There is no on or off position on a 3 way and 4 way switch. If you use all of them, they will not all always be in the up position for on and the down position for off. That only works with a single pole switch.

[@Bluesman57]

@@illestofdemall13 your right there is no on or off position. But you can swap the travelers around, so when the switches are down (off position) the lights are off. All of my three ways are wired that way.

[@BEUTUSINFLORIDA]

Thanks a million. Finally fixed this problem I've had in this house for two years. A+

[@SparkyChannel]

Way to go. Great job!

[@MegaGaryBusey]

Thank you so much. Took me a little while to understand but I just fixed 2 sets of 4 way switch systems that I've been putting up with for a few years now

[@howardsmith5558]

"THANK YOU" Sparky Channel. I had an issue with my 3-way hall way configuration so I decided to get help from KZbin and this video is the BEST of all videos relating to this topic. Your method of troubleshooting was just fantastic and I got my issue corrected.😀😀😀

[@lelandmiyahara8086]

This is a great process for 4 way wiring issues. Saved the day. Thanks

[@SparkyChannel]

Glad it helped!

[@joshinikhil6263]

Hi Mr. Sparky, I appreciate the way you teach the troubleshooting procedures . I would appreciate if you make more troubleshooting video like these. Your videos cleared so many doubts, and at last but not least, proper safety procedures were followed which are important for new apprentices(like me), which eliminates poor safety culture especially in this trade. Hats off Thank you

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks so much! I hope your apprenticeship has gone well!

[@jimwayne5983]

Sparky can’t tell you how much this four-way video just helped me -

[@SparkyChannel]

My pleasure!

[@j.clairkarpenko6574]

Great video - just wish my electrical boxes were that clean and organized 😁

[@pioneerx9066]

Thank you! I could not figure out why the 3 switches would not work after I replaced them with newer models. This was absolutely clear and wonderfully explained. Now everything works!

[@SparkyChannel]

Great job!

[@riverratsurvival]

EXTREMELY helpful. This is exactly what happened when I replaced my switches. I assumed the new switch had all the poles in the exact same spot, so I simply transferred the wires pole for pole. But on the new switch, the common was in I different position. My system works properly again. 🤗

[@SparkyChannel]

Yes, that is a great tip for other viewers. Thanks for writing in!

[@lamonafoster363]

Had pulled wires from switches and was sure I could reconnect them properly. 3 hours later I watched this video. Thank you so much for info to trace the wire between the 3-way and 4-way switches, only took a couple of minutes to get the circuit working.

[@montylanz1639]

Thank you for this video. We had a job where we had to fix somebody's changing out the outlets and mixing up the wires. You saved us time and your video was very descriptive every step of the way. Thank you.

[@SparkyChannel]

Great to hear, thanks!

[@scottblenson3857]

I’ve been threw countless channels and you may take a bit longer in your videos but they are worth it and actually help me learn thank you

[@SparkyChannel]

Great to hear!

[@TygerByte]

You have a gift for sharing things clearly. Thank you!

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks!

[@oliverzuniga698]

Hello, I am an Ecuadorian electrician and I congratulate you, I have learned a lot with your videos, thank you very much for your effort, keep going

[@SparkyChannel]

Thank you very much! Cheers from San Diego, California!

[@EtienneFinet]

Excellent job! I spend 3 hours to figure this out with no result! Your tips got me going in 15min!

[@SparkyChannel]

Nice work!

[@BuckNasty9475]

Subscribed and Liked. Thanks a million for posting. I was pulling what's left of my hair out trying to troubleshoot my 4-way switch system. Out of all the videos on KZbin, yours was the only one pointing out the words "in" and "out" on the switch. Problem solved 30 seconds after watching your video. Thanks again!

[@richardo7349]

Awesome explanation! I'm not an electrician, but I was able to follow and resolve my 4 way switch that wasn't working properly. Thank you for putting this together.

[@SparkyChannel]

My pleasure!

[@arianaveil]

Thanks, Sparky. I got a 90/100 on my competency exam thanks to you.

[@SparkyChannel]

Wow, congratulations!

[@reach70]

Thank you. Your explanation of 3-way and 4-way switch systems was so simple...it helped me resolve two 3-way and one 4-way issues that I caused when changing my switches from standard to Leviton Decora. Saved me $$ and I learned something new...Win-Win.

[@SparkyChannel]

Great to hear, thanks!

[@bullmoosepiper7732]

Utterly fantastic video. You sir are a stellar teacher. This instructional video is the standard for everyone else to follow. Thank you for taking the time to make this thorough video. You've helped me immensely.

[@SparkyChannel]

I'm glad it helped, thanks!

[@scottdoremus4735]

Outstanding explanation! Isolated root cause with no stone unturned. Bravo teacher!

[@SparkyChannel]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks Scott!

[@danle2884]

Hi Sparky, in a real life situation, there will be 3 switches at 3 different locations of the house, mine is the 4 way switch at upstairs. So do I have to first LOCATE the 3 circuit breakers and then turn all of them OFF? Before taking all the wires out and then do the testing? Thanks a million. Best video explaining this. Edit: 1. the most important thing is to find Switch 1. After that everything else is a breeze. Following Sparky example, S1 and S3 are 3 way switches, and S2 is the 4 way switch. 2. then to be absolutely safe, switch off the main circuit breaker box, usually it is the one outside of the house. Then undo the wires of S1 and S3, and S2 which is the 4 way switch, meaning unscrew the wires and take them off from S1, S3 and S2. Note that S1 and S3 have only 3 wires connected. That is why they are called 3 way switches, and S2 has 4 wires. 3. make sure that they don't touch each other. 3.1. then turn the main circuit breaker box ON again. Now use a voltage meter to find which switch has the HOT wire. Only S1 or S3 will have 1 hot wire. Not both. 4. the hot wire indicates that this switch is S1. Note the color of the wire. Then go to the other remaining 3 way switch, which is S3. as per Sparky, you will see that none of the wires is hot. 5. once you find the hot wire, go turn OFF the main circuit breaker box outside the house. The other 2 remaining wires are the Traveler Wires. 5.1. at this point if you have 3 different colors on your wiring, then you are almost done. Make sure that the hot wire is connected to the black screw of both S1 and S3, by looking at the color. You are almost done at this point since rarely there is anything wrong at S2, the 4 way switch. But to be be sure, look at the 2 pairs of traveler wires on S2, the 4 way switch. This switch will have a pair go to IN and the other pair goes to OUT. IN are connected ot the traveler wires of S1 and OUT to S3. On mine, I have white and red for traveler wires, so you should have white and red go into IN and the other white and red to the OUT, but not 2 whites or 2 reds together. You can now reconnect all the wires, turn back the main circuit braker box to ON, and it should work. It is usually that people messed up with the hot wire on S1 or S3. That is the main reason, as I DID that myself. But if NOT, then continue. 6. join these 2 wires together and go to the 4 way switch, or S2, and do a continuity check on the 2 wires of the IN of S2. At this point you should a continuity indicator on your voltage meter. Unless you have messed around with the S2 before, usually there is nothing wrong with the S2. 7. now join the remaining 2 wires of the S2, and do a continuity check on S3. The 2 wires that S2 complete the continuity check will be the traveler wires for S2. The 3rd wire will be the hot wire that powers the light. 8. If you have 3 different colors for S1 and S3, the hot wire on S1 will have the same colors as S2. And the colors of the 2 traveler wires will be the same colors as of S1, S2 and S3. 9. like I said earlier, rarely S2 has a problem, it is either S1 or S3 that got mixed because someone or yourself had changed either switch and messed up the wiring. 10. once you found which one is the hot wire on S1, screw that hot wire on to the black screw of the switch. Do the same for S3. 11. for the S1, the 2 traveler wires that are connected to it after doing the test will go to the IN of the 4 way switch, and the remaining 2 traveler wires, naturally will go to the OUT of S2 and these 2 are connected to the traveler wires of S3. 12. now turn ON the main circuit braker and you are all set. And whichever switch that does not turn on or off is the bad switch that needs to be REPLACED, since the circuit is GOOD, but that switch is BAD. Thank you to Sparky and I just want to give all of you my 2 cents, since Sparky and other people are demoing it on 3 switches that they put them up for demo purpose, not a real life situation.

[@abeperez6072]

Amazing way to find out what is wrong with what wire. Am colour blind and this will help out in the future

[@jamesladd]

I've been in the trade seventeen years and this is a common mistake I find regularly. Good video 👍

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks James!

[@rogerbarrios8614]

You do a really great job teaching. Thanks so much for doing them. I’m just a home owner but love to do my own electrical work. I’ve done 3 and 4 way switches....and have gotten them to work....but never really understood them well. I do now. Thanks again.

[@SparkyChannel]

My pleasure Roger!

[@msven]

This is exactly what is happening at my house right now. Thanks for the video. Will update once I get done troubleshooting!

[@checkyoursix5623]

Outstanding !! Just the explanation I needed to replace one of the 3-way switches in a three-switch application with a dimmer switch that has difficult-to-determine wiring. Thank you !!

[@SparkyChannel]

Glad it helped!

[@andrewkesner9159]

Thank you! Your video was very easy to follow and will make trouble shooting a breeze!

[@gaddielmier]

Best how to video for 4 way switch troubleshooting, I just fixed mine, thank you!

[@SparkyChannel]

Excellent! Great job Gaddiel!

[@vince6829]

Great example of troubleshooting a system. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@odisolivero]

THANK-YOU!!!! through your video, I just found the solution to a very similar problem. You are the best Mr. Sparky!!!

[@scottmccubbin3438]

Thank you! This was the explanation/help I needed.

[@SparkyChannel]

Glad it helped!

[@Guardducks]

Nice tutorial bill👍. Was doing a room audition with a friend and he says we're gonna put the stitches in this box and i had this dumb look on my face like he was crazy, turns it i was crazy , this was before i started to understand electrical a little more indepth. And then, and then i found a great channel on KZbin . The sparky channel and then i really started to understand electrical, so thanks there guy. 👍

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks Guardduck!

[@stevenchan7239]

Great trouble shooting video for a 4 way switch. Super helpful. Thank you.

[@HorizonElectricOH]

Great video I was able to find the problem right away and that’s exactly what it was. The light and traveler wire were flipped.

[@markwilliams1340]

I know this is an old video, but still useful. I will note that newer Leviton switches have the common (black) screw on a different side. Had I paid better attention, it would have saved me at least 1 hour of WTFs.

[@ccadama]

@Sparky Channel. Thanks Bill for making this video. I got interrupted many times before I could watch to the end. Worth my time to watch. Hope you and your family stay safe and well.

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks for the persistence! I just got my Leviton voice activated dimmer with Alexa and 2 dimmer remote switches. It will be the ultimate in 4-way switching. It will be a unique video, the only one like it on the net. Don't know when it will be ready but I'm excited to create the video. Coming soon to Sparky Channel. LOL!

[@stevesmith7792]

Thank you Sir ! Just what I was looking for.

[@mkaiser20092010]

Thank you for this video. It answered a question I had and now my system is set up right (just bought the house and found some “errors”).

[@josianrodriguez1249]

ANOTHER GOOD CLASS BY SPARKY. THANK YOU SPARKY. I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS.

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks Josian!

[@miroslawbondyra3150]

Thanks to you finally I was able to fix my 4-way switch set up and every working as should , thank you again 🙂

[@SparkyChannel]

Excellent, great job!

[@MrKeefy]

I had this issue many years ago when I was working mobile maintenance not long out of my apprenticeship. It Was in a large factory it had 3 switches along a corridor probably about 30 metres long had to go backwards and forwards to test it, but got there in the end. Apparently it had been like that for years. Wago are great. Interesting the different terminologies for the same things. US vs UK Single pole switch = 1 way switch 3 way switch = 2 way switch 4 way switch = intermediate switch Travellers = strappers Load wire = switch wire

[@johnbryant3806]

You should do a follow up to show everyone how to wire it when you have power cable to the light coming out of the same box as the load in box and then the middle. Also when you have to add another four-way.

[@jk12428]

STARKY IS THE MAN🌟‼️

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks Johann!

[@khornhou2921]

Thank you sir I love your video u explanation very well ,, now I have learn all my electric. Skill ,,2 way 3 way 4 way and a 100 way , I have completed my master electrical skill 😊

[@judyjudyjudy9593]

Thanks Sparky, I always enjoy watching a refresher!!!!.....Judie

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks Judie! Have a great weekend!

[@judyjudyjudy9593]

@@SparkyChannel you too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@drbarchitect]

Thank you. Basic info for troubleshooting. Exactly what I need.

[@nicholaswilliams5227]

With your video and the help of a diagram that I found on line that uses the same exact wires and switch locations I was able to fix mine and can now hit all the switches I want to turn on and off the lights.

[@crotalus2011]

Thank you so much! I watched your 3 way video first and now I have complete understanding!

[@suntron24]

Great video, helped me and a family friend figure out his light switch fiasco. Got it fixed in no time! 😊

[@SparkyChannel]

Way to go!

[@danielkrancer9593]

Excellent Video - very informative. I love all the info you provided, the detailed explanation and the fantastic working examples. I was able to trace all my wiring (had 2 3-ways and 3 4-way switches) and get it all working correctly. Thanks so much

[@SparkyChannel]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks Daniel!

[@JerryWamsley]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and providing a solution to my problem.

[@MrRubenrivera9649]

awesome sir a salute from Indiana bro

[@SparkyChannel]

Hi Ruben! Cheers from San Diego!

[@claystites4507]

This video was so helpful in me figuring how to troubleshoot mine. Wish me luck.

[@SparkyChannel]

Good luck!

[@edgarshoe]

This is the exact problem in our home. I suspect it was installed incorrectly from the beginning... Almost 30 years ago when the house was built. Too bad there was no YT back then. This will be my next fix. Thanks!✌️ Also recently fixed a break in the GFCI circuit. Discovered there was an outlet in laundry room that was on that circuit. Why? Idk. It's not near any water. The washer outlet is on the other side of the room and on a different circuit and not even on Gfci. I think they just wired it that way because it leads up to one of the upstairs bathrooms. Since they needed an outlet there they just hooked it up to the GFCI circuit cause it was on the way. So no power to back porch, upstairs bathroom, or master bath outlets for years cause we couldn't figure it out. The weird thing is that the outlets did not all stop working at the same time. Which threw us off. I think there were a few coincidences. Outdoor one stopped working first. Probably corrosion, but when it was replaced the circuit had already stopped working, which is when the other bathroom outlets stopped. When I went to replace it again it was corroded. (Now replaced with GFCI and weather cover) Only downstairs bath worked cause it was beginning of circuit and laundry room outlet worked (on and off) cause it was getting power but load side was disconnected. Became loose from regular use over the years. Even caused a spark at some point apparently since part of the wires were toasted. That's why I hate those push in outlets. I cleaned up the wires. Put in new. Screw-in outlet. And voila. After all these years!!

[@WetNoseCreative]

This is great info. I have a similar setup but I have 2 3-ways on the outside and the 4-way and the Load in the middle. Would that make a big difference in how you troubleshoot/rewire it so all the switches work? And help would be super appreciated!!

[@rmschrader36]

These are great videos! Do you have any videos for a 3 way or four way switch with power to the light or lights between the switches? Thanks in advance.

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks! Not yet.

[@bryenlink]

Just the video I was looking for! Amazing lesson!

[@gareth4903]

You would make a great teacher Sparky Bill 👍🏽👍🏽

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks Gareth!

[@TatinezAdventures]

Very well explained!! Thank you for sharing

[@garydudgeon]

Good demonstration and explanation Sparky.

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks Gary, have a great weekend!

[@idealynx]

Great video. Thanks for posting it. Is there any way to wire the switches so that when they're all in the OFF or down position, the light is off?

[@xworkerbee]

You present nice clear instruction!

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks so much!

[@brianmiddleton2127]

Thank you for this video. Very thorough. I have the symptom you demonstrated but it's the 4way switch. The rocker switch plastic had cracked and thus the symptom started. It worked fine for 8 years. I have replaced the switch with two different brands and the symptom is the same. Is there any way to take a shortcut and not disassemble the two 3way switches since they're obviously on other walls. I also just have a multimeter. Thank you so much.

[@davidrivera6045]

What if my main power comes in at the middle switch? Do I wire it the same way? Thanks you Sparky!

[@MrMaxyield]

You're the best Bill...!!!

[@scottfeatherstone7156]

Excellent demonstration, Thanks Bill

[@SparkyChannel]

Very welcome, thanks Scott!

[@nathanisnowhere]

How do you tell which is the middle switch? I suppose I can figure out which is the first switch (it has the hot/load wire). Any tips?

[@goldwingerppg5953]

Thanks Sparky! The video was very helpful and addressed my problem.

[@scotts4125]

Just went/going through this. Tapped off a 4 way for a receptacle. If one of the switches was one way it cut power to the receptacle. Tried (fixing) it and created the above problem on top of the receptacle issue. I have the 4 ways working and now with more knowledge I am going to run a separate wire to the outlet. I could make this work if I kept one switch in the same position but I want this to be correct so there is only one way to do it right.

[@chadhartman1040]

This guy sounds like a calmer version of Scotty Kilmer, they have to be related

[@SparkyChannel]

No relation. Thanks!

[@dennist5014]

Thank you very much for your clear and thorough explanations!

[@SparkyChannel]

You are welcome! Thanks so much!

[@slickfixjeff]

after Watching your video I finally got it! thank you

[@SparkyChannel]

Great!

[@jakefeisel7348]

Best explanation yet. Thank you.

[@TheOne1198]

Much appreciation for all ur work sir! I’m learning.

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks so much, have a great weekend!

[@TheOnlySgtRock]

This was an awesome video. Very descriptive.

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks Steve!

[@TheOnlySgtRock]

@@SparkyChannel You can teach!! I haven’t attempted to fix mine yet but I feel like a pro after watching your video.

[@hans-onplumbingdraincleani5266]

Thanks bro! Appreciate the help on tracing down the wires and 4 way switch wiring

[@SparkyChannel]

No problem, thanks!

[@jimyoung1205]

EXCELLENT video. Helped me fix my problem

[@mskikitv1681]

I have a similar issue where if the 4 way switch is turned on. The other 2 3-way switches will work with no issues with turning on & off the light. But If I turn the 4 way switch in the off position, both the 3way switches does not turn the light on or off. Any help will be appreciated.