'what is the problem' vs 'what the problem is'

Only #2 is correct.

What is the problem?
Would you know what the problem is?

Thanks for your reply. May I know if there is a reason why #2 is correct and #1 is not?

What the problem is is not a question; it's a noun clause as the direct object of know. The word order in a noun clause differs from that of a question. In a question with the verb be, the verb comes first, as you know: What is the problem? But when the question is turned into a noun clause, the subject comes first: what the problem is.

Thanks for your reply. But I find it strange to say "May I know what your name is?", rather than "May I know what is your name?"

Hi,

clarenceBut I find it strange to say...

Many things seem strange to us. However, we need to know how to cope with this strangeness.

Regards