How do I wire my 4 way switch?

Question

At the bottom is the stairs is the first 3 way switch in this circuit - it doesn’t need to be messed with because it was never changed and works good.
Then go up the stairs a little where a 4 way switch needs to be wired.
The wires I have on that one to hook up are 2 white, 2 red and the blacks inside are wired nutted together.
Then in between this switch is the 1st light with power source which goes to another light, then it stops at the last final 3 way switch.
So how, do I wire my 4 way?
I could get pictures if you need. Btw we originally replaced it and must of wired it wrong because when one switch is off another won’t turn light on!

Harper - Reinstate Monica · Answer

Unhook all 4 conductors.

Identify 2 conductors that are in the same cable.  Necessarily, one will be white and the other red.   This pair will be a pair of travelers.

While we're here, it's illegal to use a white wire this way without marking it with black or a color. Also, nothing tells you that this white is associated with that red.  I suggest marking both the red wire and the white wire with electrical tape of the same color, e.g. yellow.  You can mark them the same color because both wires do the same thing and are interchangeable.

Anyway, these two travelers go on the Brass terminals of the switch.

One pair of travelers will remain, also white and red.

Same thing, mark them so the white is tagged a color and also to associate them with each other.

This set of travelers goes on the Black terminals.

How did I know? I just know how 3-way/4-way circuits work.

How do I wire my 4 way switch?

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