How to troubleshoot issues with man pages?

When encountering issues with man pages on Linux, there are several troubleshooting steps you can follow to resolve them effectively.

  • Check the Man Page Path: Ensure that the man pages are installed correctly. Check the MANPATH environment variable to confirm it points to the right directories.
  • Rebuild Man Pages Cache: Sometimes, the man page database may need rebuilding. Use the command mandb to update the man page index.
  • Look for File Corruptions: If certain man pages are missing or displaying incorrect information, check for file integrity in the man page directories, usually located in /usr/share/man.
  • Use Verbose Output: Running commands with the man -k option searches the man page index, providing verbose output and sometimes better context for troubleshooting.

Here is an example command to refresh the man page database:

mandb

Troubleshoot Man Pages Linux Issues MANPATH mandb Documentation Command Line