Product Bulletin: Canvas LMS API Change Impact

Overview

Canvas LMS is introducing a breaking change will take place January 17, 2026. This change will require all API requests to include a valid User-Agent header. Any requests missing this header will be rejected once enforcement begins. This affects external systems—including Explorance products—that communicate with Canvas APIs.

Who Is Affected

This impacts only Explorance customers who integrate with Canvas and are running Blue versions older than 9.6.

• Customers who do not use Canvas are not affected.
• Customers on Blue 9.6 or later are not affected.

Active Response From Explorance

Canvas has not yet enforced this requirement. Explorance is actively assessing all solution paths—both short-term and long-term—to ensure uninterrupted functionality.
Regardless of the specific solution implemented, we will have a fix in place before Canvas activates enforcement, ensuring Blue continues to integrate with Canvas without interruption.

Impact on Explorance Integrations

Integrations running on older versions of Blue may fail if requests are sent without the required header. Explorance is evaluating temporary continuity measures for hosted customers, and platform enhancements are already underway to ensure full compliance with Canvas’ new requirement.

Blue 9.6 Resolution (December Release)

Full and permanent support for this Canvas API change is included in Blue 9.6, releasing on December 16.
Customers running Blue 9.6 or later will not need to take any additional action.

Guidance for On-Premise Customers

On-premise environments running versions older than Blue 9.6 will require adjustments to remain compatible once Canvas enforces the change.

Please contact Explorance Support to review available options and determine the best path forward. Support can also assist in validating your configuration and outlining required actions.

Next Steps for Customers Integrated with Canvas

• Hosted, not on Blue 9.6 in December: Contact Explorance Support to schedule an upgrade.
• Hosted, on Blue 9.6 in December: No action required.
• On-premise, upgrading to Blue 9.6 in December: No action required.
• On-premise, not upgrading to Blue 9.6 in December: Contact Explorance Support.