How To Change a Light Switch From Toggle to Rocker

orienting the new switch

The Spruce / Margot Cavin 

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 19 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
  • Estimated Cost: $2 to $10

Single-pole light switches are used to control power to light fixtures or receptacles from one location and are the most common type of switch in the home. The most common style of single-pole switch is the well-known toggle switch, but it can look tired and dated over time. Changing a light switch by upgrading to a new rocker-style switch takes just a few minutes and requires no extra wiring or special connections.

What Is a Rocker-Style Switch?

A rocker-style switch is significantly wider and flatter than a traditional toggle switch. It functions in the same way to turn power on and off, but it requires less hand pressure to operate.

If you are changing the light switch cover and the new plate is smaller than the original, you can make it easy on yourself and cover the old plate's outline with a slightly oversized new plate—no wall repair or touch-up paint required.

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What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Utility knife
  • Screwdrivers
  • Non-contact voltage tester
  • Wire cutters/strippers
  • Needle-nose pliers

Materials

  • Black electrical tape (as needed)
  • Single-pole rocker switch with cover plate

Instructions

materials for replacing a light switch
The Spruce / Margot Cavin

How to Change a Light Switch From Toggle to Rocker

  1. Turn Off the Power and Prep the Cover Plate

    Turn off power to the circuit feeding the switch by switching off the appropriate breaker in your home's service panel (breaker box). If the old cover plate has been painted on, carefully score around the perimeter of the cover plate with a utility knife to cut through the paint.

    removing the existing plate
    The Spruce / Margot Cavin
  2. Remove the Old Cover Plate

    Remove the cover plate screws, then pry up the plate with a thin flat-blade screwdriver. Be careful not to touch any wires inside the electrical box.

    Confirm the power is off by touching the screw terminals on the switch with a non-contact voltage tester. If the tester indicates voltage, return to the service panel and turn off the correct circuit breaker, then retest the wires. If you can not identify the correct breaker to turn off, you'll need to switch off the main breaker, which will cut power to your entire home.

    removing the old cover plate
    The Spruce / Margot Cavin
  3. Remove the Switch Screws

    Remove the mounting screws at the top and bottom of the switch mounting strap that secures the switch to the electrical box. Gently pull the switch body out and away from the electrical box so you can access the wire connections, which may be on the back of the switch body.

    unscrewing the base plate
    The Spruce / Margot Cavin
  4. Check the Wiring

    Check the wiring for condition and proper markings. You can also take a photo with your smartphone at this point to help you remember where everything goes.

    Single-pole switches always connect to two hot wires. One wire will almost certainly be black. The other hot wire may be red or white. If it is white, it should have a band of black or red electrical tape near its end, indicating that it is serving as a hot wire. In other cases, the white wire may be connected to the switch with no tagging indicating it is hot. If that's the case, the prior electrician did not properly mark the wire, and you should mark it as a hot wire by wrapping it with a band of black electrical tape after disconnecting it.

    The switch also should have a bare copper or green insulated ground wire connected to its ground screw (old wiring systems may not have a ground wire).

    The electrical box may also contain white neutral wires that are connected together.

    Standard single-pole switches do not connect to neutral wires. However, some "smart switches," which can be controlled by a phone or other device, include a neutral connection to provide a small amount of current so the switch can receive a wireless signal.

    removing the old switch
    The Spruce / Margot Cavin
  5. Remove the Old Switch

    Disconnect the old switch by removing the two hot wires that connect to it. Usually, this will involve loosening the screw terminals and removing the switch. Alternatively, the wires may be connected with push-in fittings. For push-in fittings, there is usually a slot or opening into which you can push a small screwdriver blade or nail to loosen the connection and pull out the wire. In this case, you can also remove the old switch by cutting the old wires close to the switch, using wire cutters. Just make sure to leave enough length to attach the new switch. Typically, you should have at least 6 inches of extra wire.

    Old switch removed from hot wires by loosening screw terminals

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  6. Strip the Wire Ends (as needed)

    The new switch has three wires, including two hot wires and one ground wire. Strip about 3/4 inch of insulation away from the two hot wires and ground wire, using wire strippers, if necessary. If the existing ends of the wires are nicked or otherwise damaged, clip them off and strip off 3/4 of insulation, leaving clean wires. Bend the exposed copper end of each wire (as needed) into C-shaped loops, using needle-nose pliers.

    Tip

    If the hot circuit wires are so short that they're hard to work with, you can extend the connections by adding pigtail wires (joined to the circuit wire with wire connectors), then connect the pigtails to the switch.

    Wire cutters stripping insulation from wire ends

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  7. Orient the New Switch

    Note that the switch will either be marked "TOP" or it will have a brass plate or some other distinguishing mark noting the top end. This proper orientation is important. Although the switch will still work upside down, it makes for a confusing and unprofessional installation.

    orienting the new switch
    The Spruce / Margot Cavin
  8. Connect the New Switch

    Take care to make sure the wires go where they should when installing the new light switch. Hook the ground wire around the ground screw terminal on the switch so the hook wraps around the screw in a clockwise direction. This will cause the loop to tighten up when the screw is tightened. Tighten the screw with a screwdriver.

    Connect each of the two hot wires to one of the two main screw terminals on the switch, and tighten the terminal, as with the ground screw. The two terminals are interchangeable and either wire can go to either terminal, but only one wire can be under each terminal. Tug on the wires to make sure they are secure.

    Tip

    Although your switch may have push-in fittings, most electricians avoid these, as screw terminal connections are more secure and less likely to loosen over time.

    connecting the new switch
    The Spruce / Margot Cavin
  9. Mount the Switch to the Box

    Gently push the new switch into the light switch box, folding the wires neatly into the box behind the switch. Fasten the switch to the box with the two long mounting screws at the top and bottom of the switch mounting strap.

    mounting the new switch
    The Spruce / Margot Cavin
  10. Check the Cover Plate Size

    Test-fit the cover plate by placing it over the switch. if the new plate does not completely cover the outline of the old plate, buy a larger cover plate that fits the switch model.

    attaching the new plate
    The Spruce / Margot Cavin
  11. Install the Cover Plate and Test the Switch

    Install the cover plate, using the provided screws (some rocker switches have a base cover that screws into place and a top cover that snaps onto the base). Be careful not to overtighten the screws, which can bend or crack the cover plate. Turn on the power by switching on the circuit breaker, then test the switch for proper operation.

    Hand pressing light switch for testing

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

FAQ
  • Can I replace a light switch myself?

    You can replace a light switch yourself only if you are experienced in electrical work and feel comfortable handling the project; otherwise, you should hire an electrician.

  • Do you have to turn off the electricity to change a light switch?

    Yes, you will need to turn off the power while doing any electrical work. Do not change a light switch with the power on. If you cannot access the power to turn it off, hire an electrician to handle the project.

  • What are the types of light switches?

    There are many types of light switches, including basic single-, double-, three-, and four-way switches that come in rocker styles. There are also rocker dimmer switches that allow you to toggle the light on and off while using a slider on the side to control the dimming.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Push-In Connectors on Receptacles. Journal of Light Construction.