Provided is a method and device for switching a primary/backup PW. When a primary PW is detected having changed into a Down status by a BFD session corresponding to the primary PW, PE searches for a matching switching information entry. When in the switching information entry indicates transmission switching is supported, and Failover value indicates that a packet is forwarded via a backup PW, the PE updates Failover value in a hardware protection switching entry to the Failover value in the switching information entry. When bRX in the switching information entry indicates reception switching is supported, the PE updates drop identifier in a hardware reception entry to a value indicating that a packet is received, and updates the bFS to a value indicating that transmission switching is not supported; and the PE reports a Down event of the primary PW.