# Missing Help in XP

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missing-help-in-xp/225292>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 20, 2004, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missing-help-in-xp/225292 "2004-01-20T06:38:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![daniel801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@daniel801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/daniel801)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2004, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missing-help-in-xp/225292/1 "2004-01-20T06:38:02Z")

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My computer has a strange new problem. I can’t get to any of my help files. For instance, if I’m in a program like Word or Outlook, and I open Help, the box pops open but it’s completely empty. Any ideas? Suggestions? Causes? Thanks.

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**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2004, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missing-help-in-xp/225292/2 "2004-01-20T18:19:40Z")

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Microsoft KB article [831430](http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;831430) has a fix for an issue that can cause Help and Support windows to be blank.