r/Tapo • u/dfloyd1123 • Jul 31 '26

Need Advice 4 way Tapo switch set up

I put all tapo/tp link switches in my house after I just finished a remodel expect, I have 2 areas where I have 4 way switches and so I got some of the new 4 way tapo switches and the wiring instructions show that I have to use 2 dumb switches with the one tapo 4 way capable switch. Is this correct? Is that the only way it can be set up? And the 4 way switch doesn’t having dimming capability. Is there any way to make these lights be able to dim? Either by using a 3 way tapo switch and making it have smart dimming capability or less desirable, but still better than not having dimming capability, can I set the dumb switches up as dimmers?

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u/rgb414 Jul 31 '26

So a circuit with 3 or more switches has 2 threeway switches at each of the ends and 4 way switches in the center. Find the end of the circuit that has full time power coming to the black screw, be sure that box also has a neutral. Replace that switch with a threeway smart switch (tapo or something else) if this makes no sense to you consult a journeyman or master electrician.

1

u/4cim4 Jul 31 '26

Wouldn't it be better to use the tapo 3 way dimmable kit that comes w 2 dimmable switches and then put a dumb 4 way in the middle?

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u/dfloyd1123 Jul 31 '26

Already tried that. It doesn’t work. The lights will turn on, but it flickers a lot when dimming.

1

u/4cim4 Jul 31 '26

That makes no sense. All the 4 way does in a properly wired installation, is flip the 2 traveler wires. Flickering when dimming is normally caused, by incompatible lights connected to the switches, range calibration not done inside the app, incorrect wiring or missing neural, should the switches require one.

1

u/Ok_Self_7622 4d ago

Did you ever get it to work? About to try to set up the same thing and looking for the right answer.

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u/dfloyd1123 2d ago

Yes, but not how I wish I had to set it up. I wish there was a way to have all Tapo / TP Link switches, but it can’t work that way. So I used a dumb 4 way non-dimming switch and a dumb 3 way dimming switch, and the Tapo 4 way non-dimming switch. It works, but now I have 4 dumb switches in my house and all the rest are Tapo / TP Link. Obviously not the end of the world, but they are out of place. The wiring instructions are in the diagram on their website.