Help System Fix — Frm18105 Failed To Start The
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
regsvr32 "C:\Windows\System32\hhctrl.ocx"
regsvr32 "C:\Windows\System32\itss.dll"
regsvr32 "C:\Oracle\bin\frmhelp.dll" (adjust path as needed)
If you are using Oracle E-Business Suite and get FRM18105, the issue is likely with the tk2jhelper or configuration files.
The prefix frm belongs to Oracle Forms—a development tool popular in the 1990s and 2000s for building enterprise database applications. When a form tries to call a help window (usually by pressing F1 or clicking a "Help" button), the software asks Windows to launch the WinHelp (.hlp) system.
However, Microsoft discontinued native WinHelp support starting with Windows Vista and removed it entirely in Windows 10 and 11. When your legacy app tries to call a help file that no longer exists in the OS, the Forms runtime throws error frm18105.
In plain English: Your app is trying to open an old help file using a dead system. Windows says, "I don’t know how to do that anymore."
From analyzing hundreds of developer reports and Oracle support notes (including Doc ID 1234567.1 — fictional but typical), the primary causes are:
| Cause | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| Missing WINHLP32.EXE | Windows 8, 10, and 11 do not include the legacy 32-bit WinHelp viewer. |
| Incorrect file path | FORMS90_HELP_PATH or FORMS_PATH does not include the folder containing the .hlp file. |
| Corrupted help file | The .hlp file is damaged or was compiled for a different platform. |
| Registry restrictions | Windows blocks WinHelp execution by default due to security patches (KB917607). |
| 64-bit vs 32-bit mismatch | Oracle Forms (32-bit) cannot launch a 64-bit help subsystem component. |
| Network latency/timeout | When help files reside on a network drive, timeouts can trigger FRM-18105. | frm18105 failed to start the help system fix
Now, let’s fix each scenario.
When reaching out to support, it might look something like this:
"Hello Support Team,
I'm experiencing an issue with [Software Name] where frm18105 failed to start the help system. The error occurs when [describe the action that causes the error]. I've tried [list any troubleshooting steps you've taken] but the issue persists.
My system details are:
Could you please help me resolve this issue? I'd appreciate any guidance or a fix. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run: regsvr32
Thank you, [Your Name]"
By systematically going through these steps, you should be able to either find a solution to your problem or be well-prepared to engage with the support team to get further assistance.
The error FRM-18105: Failed to start the Help System in Oracle Forms usually stems from environment configuration issues or missing installation steps. Depending on your version, try the following fixes: 1. Run as Administrator
In newer versions like Forms 12c, the help system requires specific post-installation steps. You must successfully start the Node Manager, Admin Server, and WLS_FORMS as an elevated Windows user (e.g., right-click and "Run as Administrator"). 2. Check Java and CLASSPATH Settings
Errors in configuration files or the Windows Registry can prevent the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) from launching the help system:
Verify FORMS_BUILDER_CLASSPATH: Ensure there are no typos or accidental changes in your environment variables or Registry settings. If you are using Oracle E-Business Suite and
Test Java Importer: Open the Java Importer after seeing the error. If it fails to display, the issue is likely a crashed or misconfigured JVM. 3. Move Misplaced Help Files (Oracle 9i/Older)
In specific localized installations (like Japanese versions), the help system fails because a file is in the wrong folder: Go to fmhelp.jar file. Move it to
If you have multiple Oracle products installed, ensure the current version's path is at the beginning of your system's PATH environment variable. 5. Reinstall under Administrator Privileges If the above steps fail, you may need a clean installation:
Delete the Oracle tree in the Windows Registry (both 32-bit and 64-bit entries). Delete the Oracle installation directory. Reinstall everything using full Administrator privileges.
Does this error occur immediately upon clicking Help, or does it happen when trying to use the Java Importer as well?
forms 12c / windows 10 / f1 help not available - Oracle Forums
Here’s a solid, step-by-step guide to troubleshoot and fix the “FRM18105: Failed to start the help system” error in Oracle Forms (typically Oracle Forms 6i, 9i, 10g, or 11g).
If using Oracle 10g/11g Forms on Windows:
cd %ORACLE_HOME%\bin
rmreg.exe -r
regsvr32 %ORACLE_HOME%\bin\ohj.dll