Common Wall Switch Problems and Solutions
- Fixture does not light or lights intermittently
- Fuse blows or circuit breaker trips when switch flipped on
- Sparks or crackling noise or light flickers when switch on
- Toggle does not stay in ON position
- Both switches must be flipped to turn on fixture (three-way series)
- Fixture does not light (four-way series)
Fixture does not light or lights intermittently
| Possible Cause | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Light bulb burned out | Replace light bulb |
| Fuse blown or circuit breaker tripped | Replace fuse or reset circuit breaker |
| Wires in box damaged | Repair wires in box |
| Switch connections loose | Tighten connections |
| Switch faulty | Test and replace switch |
| Fixture faulty | Service fixture |
Fuse blows or circuit breaker trips when switch flipped on
| Possible Cause | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Too many fixtures or appliances on circuit | Move an appliance to another circuit |
| Short circuit in wiring system | Check wiring and boxes along the circuit |
Sparks or crackling noise or light flickers when switch on
| Possible Cause | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Switch connections loose | Tighten connections |
| Switch faulty | Test and replace switch |
Toggle does not stay in ON position
| Possible Cause | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Switch faulty | Replace switch |
Both switches must be flipped to turn on fixture (three-way series)
| Possible Cause | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Loose connection at one of the switches | Tighten connections of one switch at a time |
| One of the switches faulty | Test switches one at a time and replace if faulty |
Fixture does not light (four-way series)
| Possible Cause | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Three-way switch connection loose | Tighten connections of one switch at a time |
| One of the three-way switches faulty | Test switches one at a time and replace if faulty |
| Four-way switch connection loose | Tighten connections |
| Four-way switch faulty | Test and replace switch |
