Just purchased an iMac so just getting to 'learn the basics' but I'm getting: 'The selected topic is currently unavailable. The topic you were trying to view could not be found.'
Have I done something wrong or is there a known problem?
iMac (27-inch, Late 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)
Maybe a wonky Internet connection to Apple's servers which hold the help files and tutorials.
Since you're a newcomer to the Mac, see these:
Switching from Windows to Mac OS X,
Mac Basics—Tutorials on using a Mac,
Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts,
Anatomy of a Mac,
MacTips,
Switching to Mac Superguide, and
Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Mountain Lion Edition.
Additionally, *Texas Mac Man* recommends:
Quick Assist,
Welcome to the Switch To A Mac Guides,
Take Control E-books, and
A guide for switching to a Mac.
You may be able to solve the problem by deleting the Help cache.
Back up all data.
Triple-click the line below to select it:
~/Library/Caches/com.apple.helpd
Right-click or control-click the highlighted line and select
Services ▹ Reveal
from the contextual menu.* A Finder window should open with a folder selected. Move the selected folder to the Trash. Log out, log back in, and test. Help pages will be slow to load at first.
If that doesn't work, the problem may be caused by network conditions. It may go away by itself, though I can't say how long you should wait.
A persistent failure to load help data has been reported as an issue with certain ISP's, such as the Exede satellite network. Test on a different network, if possible. I've also seen at least one report that Photo Stream in iCloud can mysteriously interfere with Help. I'm not sure whether that's true, but try disabling Photo Stream, if applicable.
*If you don't see the contextual menu item, copy the selected text to the Clipboard (command-C). In the Finder, select
Go ▹ Go to Folder...
from the menu bar, paste into the box that opens (command-V). You won't see what you pasted because a line break is included. Press return.
Thank you - all working fine now!
I have the same problem. Everytime I select a help topic I get the following responce.
"The selected topic is currently unavailable
Make sure you’re connected to the Internet. For help connecting, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Network, and click “Assist me.”
If you’re connected to the Internet, and the content still doesn’t appear, try again later."
I have deleted ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.helpd and ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.helpviewer several times and I have experienced no change. This happens every time I try to use help. I have a good connection to the Internet. I have no problem surfing the web, or receiving email.
I would appreciate any and all suggestions.
Thanks in advance.
Also same problem. Using Hughsnet and WildBlue Sat connection. Same problem on Mac Pro and Mac-Mini. Had with 10.8 and now with 10.9.
I have been having this same problems for months now and its driving me crazy.
Finding this solution would help but I don't have this:
~/Library/Caches/com.apple.helpd
I am on a new iMac running Mountain Lion. If I go to Library, I only have a handful of things there, none of them is helpd. Here's what it looks like:
Any help someone can offer to allow HELP topics to work again is greatly appreciated. BTW, I am ALWAYS connected to the internet, so that's not the problem!
Thanks!
Wrong folder. The tilde in the line
~/Library/Caches/com.apple.helpd
indicates the /Users/username/ folder, not /boot volume/. So, go to /Users/username/Library//Caches/com.apple.helpd/
Thanks for trying to help me baltwo, but I don't have a Library folder in Users/unserame/....
I only have this:
You do, but it's stupidly hidden in Lion and Mtn Lion, revealable in Mavericks. See http://osxdaily.com/2011/07/04/show-library-directory-in-mac-os-x-lion/ for details.
Topics in help centre not available?
