We have an older home. The light for the stairway is on the mid-landing. There is a light switch at the top of the stairs and a light switch at the bottom of the stairs. I would like to be able to turn the light on at either point. Right now the switches have to be in a certain position before it will turn on. I thought before we replaced the light fixture that it didn't matter what position the switches were in, we could turn the light on by simply flipping one of the switches.

When you replaced the fixture did you undo ALL of the splices in the light box? Or just the ones connected to the light fixture itself?

Usually, if the light comes on only when the switches are lined up in a certain manner, at least one of them is defective.

But since the switches were both working before you replaced the fixture, you may have hooked it back up wrong. You should always make a diagram before disconnecting any wires.

The best way to proceed is to turn off the circuit, and open all the boxes. Make a diagram before disconnecting anything else, then use a continuity tester or an ohmmeter to identify where all the wires go. Then have post a diagram and someone can show you how to hook it all back up.


If you do replace the switches, Replace both of them. Ask the clerk at the hardware store for "3-way" switches.
The switches will have three screws. One will be a different color. This is the "common" terminal. It is important you re-connect the wires correctly, so make a drawing before you disconnect any wires.