Replacing a 3 Way Switch
This is not that hard, just take your time.
The first step is to turn off the power. Shut off the breakers in the electrical panel box one at a time until the light controlled by the switch goes off. Can turn the rest of Breakers back on.
Remove the cover plate on the switch, unscrew the screws holding the switch in, one on top and one on bottom. Pull the switch away from the wall.
You will find 3 different colored wires, these wires need to go back in the same manner on the switch. Hold your new switch in the same position as the old switch. There will be 2 screws and wires on one side and 1 screw and wire on the other side. There could also be a ground wire which is bare. Would suggest getting a piece of paper and making a diagram of where the wires are attached to the switch.
Remove the wires, either by unscrewing, if they are attached on the side or if the wires are in the back of the switch, the wires can be removed by inserting a very small screwdriver into a small slot above the wire, push the screwdriver in and pull on the wire, if you are doing it right the wire should come easily out. The bare metal wire, the ground, will have a screw that will need to loosened to remove, it's ok to unscrew it all the way off as you are replacing the switch anyway.
Attach the wires onto the new switch and attach the ground wire if it has one.
If any of the wires have to be screwed onto the switch, make a small Hook using needle nose pliers, slip the wire under the screw head making sure that the hook is going in the same direction as tightening of the screw. This will prevent the wire from unloosening when you tighten.
Attach the switch, the plate and turn on the breaker
