How To Fix A Wall Light Switch

Before you do any work on a switch make sure power is turned off at the electrical panel.

How to fix a wall light switch.

If a light switch won t turn off it could be because it s miswired or just a bad switch. The moving parts of a standard light switch are enclosed inside plastic casing so when the switch goes bad your only option is to replace it. To replace this kind of switch follow these steps. A variation of the traditional toggle switch is the lever action switch which lies almost flush with the wall.

Once the power is cut remove the switch cover and mounting screws with a screwdriver and pull the old switch from the wall. Then use a voltage tester to make sure that the circuit is dead. To replace a light switch start by disconnecting the power to the switch by shutting off the breaker for the room. When a switch stops switching then it s time to troubleshoot and repair or replace the switch.

You may also want to use a circuit tracer to identify the circuit breaker or fuse you need to turn off. When the toggle switch is mounted properly the words on and off are upright on the toggle lever and the light goes on when you flip the switch up. You can test the switch with a voltage tester to determine which is the problem. Unscrew the switch from the electrical box and pull it out with the wires still attached.

If the switch is miswired it s easy to rewire. Turn off the power to the switch at the main circuit breaker or fuse panel. Unscrew and remove the switch plate.