The stairs going up there is three way switches. one at the top and one at the bottom of the stairs. can i change one of those switch to a combo switch? one that have a pug as well as a switch.fra

Based on what you said, your hot wire feeds the top left and the neutral connects to the bottom left. The two brass on the right should be connected to each other with a brass tab. If you look at it, you should be able to see it.

This is the way it works: hot feeds top left, when switch is turned on, hot goes through to the top right which also feeds bottom right. Now the outlet is powered.

If you are not sure, use a multi meter set on continuity and check from the top left to the bottom left while turning on the switch. Good luck!

Pull the covers off the switch boxes and remove the switches but don't disconnect them. Look to see how many wires are connected to each switch. A two way switch should have 3 insulated wires connect to each switch AND a bare copper wire for ground. If you don't have that configuration, then it was not built correctly.

switch out the light with a known good blub
maybe the lights are bad

I believe you are referring to a 3-way switch.
( 2 switches that operate the same light, like the
ones used at the top and bottom of stairs)

There are several variables here and you haven't completely described your situation, but I will give you two scenarios. But first, understand that if your switch has three wires, then it's a three way switch, and maybe you don't need a three way switch - but you can use it anyway. OK, so that's the first scenario. In any case you will have two white wires in the box that are only connected together, not to the switch. There will be two other wires in the box, and you have three wires on the switch. Simplest thing to do is trial and error (there are more combinations that will work, than ones that won't, and the wrong ones aren't bad, they just won't work.). OK, so take one wire of the switch and put a wire nut on it so it doesn't touch anything. Then take one wire in the box and connect it to one wire on the switch. Connect the other wire in the box to the other wire on the switch. Try it out. If it works OK, then you are good. If not, then you have chosen the wrong wire to not use. Choose a different one, and it will work.
OK now, the other scenario is that you do need a three-way switch. Same deal on the white wires as in the first scenario. But no extra switch wire in this case. Usually, two of the wires will be at the top or bottom of the switch, and third wire will be at the opposite end. The two that are at the same end are the "travelers" and the one by itself is either the hot wire coming from the electric panel or it is the output wire going to your light fixture. If you are lucky, then you will find that the wires coming into the box are a black/white/ground combo and a red/black/white/ground combo. The red and black in the red/black/white/ground combo are your travelers. The black in the other combo is the hot wire or the wire going to the fixture.
Good luck,
Al K

If you are replacing a three way switch with a three way switch, you should only use the wires that were connected to the old switch. (Unfortunately the color coding of these wires is not universal.) Assuming you have only 2 switches, that means you only need to connect 3 wires to the switch (in addition to the ground). One wire (to be connected alone on either side of the top or bottom of the switch) either comes from the electric panel or goes to the light fixture. The other two wires (both at the top or bottom of the switch) are the "travelers" and go directly to the other switch. You can examine the other switch (the one you aren't working on) to confirm which two wires are your travelers. I hope this helps. Good luck!

As long as the power is running from the breaker panel to the switches rather than the fixtures then it should be pretty simple.

1. Run a new 2 conductor wire from the existing box to the new box at the top of the stair.

2. Install a switch at the top of the stairs.

3. Disconnect the hot wire that is running to the two existing switches and connect it to one of the two conductors running to the top of the stairs.

4. Connect the remaining conductor on the wire going to the top of the stairs to the two existing switches.

Note that if you want to be able to use the Dimmer function from the top of the stairs this will be much more complicated. You will need to put two new switches at the top of the stairs, run more wire, the new switches will need to be 3 way dimmers and the existing switches will almost certainly need to be replaced as well. The wiring will also be much more complicated.

Sounds like you changed just the one (top of stairs) switch. Due to the nature of these (call 3 way switches) the circuit goes through a different set of contacts for each position switch is in. There is not an Off or On, just an Up or Down. If one switch is Up and the light is on, then flipping either switch should turn light off, and vice versa. Therefore, try changing the other switch. Be careful to get the "common" terminal correct. It is easy to get them screwed up, and a little troublesome getting them right again. If you need more help after replacing the switch, add more comments and I'll give you more help.

I have a light switch at the bottom of the stairs which works 2ways can be switched on and off up and down stairs and also an out side light on the same switch which I have messed up and would like a picture of the way it should be connected.