Tried several covers here for these TP link 220 dimmers, anyone have any recos?

I’ve never used these before but those black screws almost look like drywall screws. I would think on a normal faceplate that’s where the securing screws would go. Can you only use a snap in plate on those switches?

dreaderus wrote: ↑ one wont snap on, the other well theres screws in the plate that don't appear to be removable that are in the way

Okay a few issues here.
1) Those black screws are drywall screws. Get some 6/32 x # machine screws where # is the length. Typically 1 to 1.5 inch in length is fine. Obviously do this step before installing your face plate.
Everywhere carries them in various qty and length:
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/paulin ... 1000113633


2) The silver screws above and below the black drywall screws should be removed. It looks like the heads are stripped off the screws themselves. They should be Philips (+) screws. They are blocking you from installing the face place. If you hold the face place up over the switches you should be able to see those 4 screws (or open holes) through the holes in the face place.

Once you remove the 4 silver screws, you have two options:
2a) Install the screw-less face place.

Loosen the 4 box screws (the 4 black drywall screws/ 6-32 machine screws).
Install the inside plate using 4 silver screws you removed.
Though the holes in the inside plate, tighten the 4 box screws (the 4 black screws).
Click on the outer screw-less face place.
This will match your light switch on the left.

Replacement face plate if your screws are stripped. It comes with the 4 screws. Otherwise
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/levito ... 1000167427

2b) Use a standard decora face place. The white screws screw into the 4 holes.


It may be in your best interest to watch a youtube installation video for those switches or better yet safest to call an electrician to handle both of these tasks.

dreaderus wrote: ↑ one wont snap on, the other well theres screws in the plate that don't appear to be removable that are in the way

I have a few spots with dual tplink switches (dimmers and non) and couldn't get a screwless wall plate (leviton, besten) to come close to being flush except for the Lutron Claro switch plate, although its a different design, so decided against it. For now I have the Leviton decora with the 4 screws which seems to work well, until I figure something out. I've changed most of my house to the Leviton screwless plates which work fine on normal decora switches and outlets.

I wish TP-link would come with a dual gang wall plate would make things easier.

Super_Chicken wrote: ↑ Okay a few issues here.
1) Those black screws are drywall screws. Get some 6/32 x # machine screws where # is the length. Typically 1 to 1.5 inch in length is fine. Obviously do this step before installing your face plate.
Everywhere carries them in various qty and length:
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/paulin ... 1000113633


2) The silver screws above and below the black drywall screws should be removed. It looks like the heads are stripped off the screws themselves. They should be Philips (+) screws. They are blocking you from installing the face place. If you hold the face place up over the switches you should be able to see those 4 screws (or open holes) through the holes in the face place.

Once you remove the 4 silver screws, you have two options:
2a) Install the screw-less face place.

Loosen the 4 box screws (the 4 black drywall screws/ 6-32 machine screws).
Install the inside plate using 4 silver screws you removed.
Though the holes in the inside plate, tighten the 4 box screws (the 4 black screws).
Click on the outer screw-less face place.
This will match your light switch on the left.

Replacement face plate if your screws are stripped. It comes with the 4 screws. Otherwise
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/levito ... 1000167427

2b) Use a standard decora face place. The white screws screw into the 4 holes.


It may be in your best interest to watch a youtube installation video for those switches or better yet safest to call an electrician to handle both of these tasks.

this is securing a plate thou no rewiring why the need for an electrician here? just experience screwing around with dumb plastic wall covers?

So the screws were how the guy that installed the switches left it, so they do not seem easy to remove (the small screws) if these could be removed i could likley secure this no problem. anyone have reco for removing those tiny screws? they don't seem to budge and are part of the actual switch it seems.

the snap on one u linked, perhaps the one u linked might just "work:? i bought both a snap on and a screw in from lowes both not working for me right now. can try the lev if you think it might fly

I find the Lutron two piece faceplates works well. The Leviton screwless faceplates don't work at all.

The regular Leviton faceplates with screws work also.

CanadianLurker wrote: ↑ I haven’t tried this myself yet but found something that might work.

See the “Accepted Solution” posted right under the question similar to yours posed about a 2-gang plate for TP switches:

https://community.tp-link.com/us/home/f ... 588?page=1

And here’s the link to them on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0848 ... =UTF8&th=1

shame i can't find it on amazon.ca lol

CanadianLurker wrote: ↑ Yeah, they aren't cheap when you factor in the shipping! If you have an Ameri-friend or a forwarding service you can knock that down a bit by saving the shipping. Did you search the brand outside of Amazon?

its tempting to try to come up with some stylish way to deal with this without chasing plastic squares im thinkin now

dreaderus wrote: ↑ shame i can't find it on amazon.ca lol

Pricey though . I have tried the bestten brand which didn’t work well but might give this a shot. If it works I only need 5 of them l for dual gang. Only need it for places that have tplink switches

https://www.amazon.ca/Enerlites-SI8832- ... 50&sr=8-17

Pretty sure it's because the 2 silver screw you have in the switches are stopping them from clipping. If you've already used drywall screws to mount the switch to the boxes forget machine screws. The holes in the box are pooched. I hate when builder electricians do this so you're stuck with drywall screws.

Even then Looking at the switch next to the pictures (what is this? screenshots for ants?!) You need to play with levelling the switch to the box so it aesthetically pleasing and protrude just the right amount to click the plates on.

It bothers me when I see people have put in smart switches but it looks like a dogs breakfast of misaligned, lopsided mess with missing screws on the plates.

Any plate will look pleasant (at least not draw attention) as long as you prepare the switches behind it correctly.

The difficulty vs regular dumb Decora switches is you don't have tabs on the switch you can bend to adjust how they align to the wall.
My tip if using regular Decora switch plates. Is first get the "Shatterproof" plates and actually do not fully secure the switch to the wall box say 9/10th of the way to fully secure. Then use the Switch plate to pull the switch up against the wall plate to give it that aligned flush look make sure the switch is at the same time tight enough to the wallbox so the switch plate has no gap to the wall.

You can also use these precuts
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61h ... SY355_.jpg
To help fill in gaps like Mascara on Batman.
or get sheets from the dollarstore and cut your own.

dreaderus wrote: ↑ this is securing a plate thou no rewiring why the need for an electrician here? just experience screwing around with dumb plastic wall covers?

I suggested this because an electrician would be able to fix this problem for you.

dreaderus wrote: ↑ So the screws were how the guy that installed the switches left it, so they do not seem easy to remove (the small screws) if these could be removed i could likley secure this no problem. anyone have reco for removing those tiny screws? they don't seem to budge and are part of the actual switch it seems.

Can you post a closer up photo of those screws. It would help confirm that the screws are stripped.

dreaderus wrote: ↑ the snap on one u linked, perhaps the one u linked might just "work:? i bought both a snap on and a screw in from lowes both not working for me right now. can try the lev if you think it might fly

The snap on screwless decora switch plate will work 100%. You need to try to remove those stripped silver screws first.

Try something like this to help you removed the stripped screws:
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/speed- ... 1001184522

CanadianLurker wrote: ↑ I haven’t tried this myself yet but found something that might work.

See the “Accepted Solution” posted right under the question similar to yours posed about a 2-gang plate for TP switches:
https://community.tp-link.com/us/home/f ... 588?page=1

And here’s the link to them on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0848 ... =UTF8&th=1

I would not buy the Amazon switch plate. If you read the description it is oversized (bigger than normal ones). It looks like it was meant to cover sloppy work in the drywall.
Unless you want one wall plate to be way bigger than all the others in your house. Don't buy it.

batcave wrote: ↑ I find the Lutron two piece faceplates works well. The Leviton screwless faceplates don't work at all.

The regular Leviton faceplates with screws work also.

I would stick to these name brands over amazon brands. They are more expensive, but if you need to match or replace other ones in your house in a few years, you know Home Depot/Lowes will still carry them.