Light switch question

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Hi there

I have currently a light switch at the bottom of the loft steps that turns on the lights in the loft.

Up in the loft there is a 2 way switch installed - one switch turns on a light inside storage cupboard and the other switch turns on the lights in the loft.

However if I switch on the lights from the downstairs switch and then decide to switch off the lights from the switch up in the loft, the light will turn off at a fraction of a second and then remain on. The only way to switch off the lights is to head back downstairs and use the switch.

Same goes the other way around, where you switch on lights from the loft switch and head downstairs and switch off the lights from that switch.

is this a simple rewiring needed on one of switch? Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks
 
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two-way-real.jpg
Standard two way wiring, note needs three wires between the two switches.
 
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Eric, where do those diagrams come from?

I have said before that they are so badly drawn as to be virtually useless for a DIYer to figure out or follow.

Even the switches are impossible to follow unless you already know what's what.
Also there are terminals in the middle of conductors which, schematically may be correct, but would be impossible for the DIYer to follow without needlessly cutting cables.

May I offer this as a slight improvement:

upload_2021-7-31_12-17-15.png


Although Bernard's diagram is a lot easier to follow.
 
Thanks guys.

The first picture is the the 2 way switch that is upstairs in the loft - so left side connection is for the loft lights and the right side connection is for storage cupboard lights.

The second picture is the single switch that is downstairs and turns the loft lights on and off.
 

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The front plate of the metal switch must be correctly Earthed.

If that is not possible then you cannot use a metal fronted switch
 
The front plate of the metal switch must be correctly Earthed.

If that is not possible then you cannot use a metal fronted switch

Earth is already connected to the back box - the face plate then screws into the box, so it should earthed correctly
 
The earthing of the front plate is important, but it is not the reason for the OP’s problem.
As usual, the initial question is being buried under another curved ball.
 

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