I have a problem but don't know how to ask for help

Solution 1:

Sounds like you are out of your depth.

This is used for a situation that is beyond one's capabilities, which would cover your inability to do the job and also the inability to comprehend it enough to know where to turn for help or how to ask for it.

Similar phrases include "in above your head", or "in over your head".

Entering a field that is new is sometimes referred to as "uncharted territory" (or "uncharted waters" if you want to stick with the watery analogies). Although this is intended to mean an entirely new, undocumented area, in daily use it is often applied on an individual level (eg "this is uncharted territory for me"). An alternative version is "unexplored territory" if that sits better with the idea that documentation does exist for it and the individual could access that.

Evidently, we like water analogies for this kind of thing because an individual who lacks experience is described as "wet behind the ears", or sometimes "green".