Unexpected error importing previously functioning common cartridge files

Hello Canvas community!

When I try to import common cartridge (.imscc files), it Fails with "1 issue" and when I click "View Issues", I get the message, "There was an unexpected error, please contact support." - see image below.

What's odd about this is that these same files did work just a couple of months ago. I've uploaded (below) a zip folder containing two of these files that used to work, but when trying to upload today, they all get the same error.

no-longer-functional-imscc-files.zip

I also tried to download a sample course common cartridge from another source online, which also got the same error when importing.

All of this is leading me to the conclusion that either (a) I'm not aware of new requirements or processes in the upload process, or that (b) there is a issue with the common cartridge import functionality.

Any help or guidance would be much appreciated! 🙏

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Accepted answers

Chris

Hi @aaron_sharp_unity, @IsaacEnriquez_07, and @nathanb,

I would highly recommend that each of you contact Canvas support to get this officially reported. The community here is great for user to user support and suggestions, but for things that are producing errors, Canvas support really needs to be notified to get things officially confirmed moving towards a fix.

-Chris

All comments

nathanb

Just wanted to say I'm currently having the exact same problem!

IsaacEnriquez_07

Tengo el mismo error, no me deja importar cursos, copiar o duplicar un curso existente, no me permite copiar contenido de un curso a otro tales como tareas, módulos, evaluaciones, rúbricas, etc

Chris

Hi @aaron_sharp_unity, @IsaacEnriquez_07, and @nathanb,

-Chris

IsaacEnriquez_07

Thanks for the advice, I'll do that.

jeremyfw

HI @aaron_sharp_unity, @IsaacEnriquez_07, and @nathanb,

I was able to reproduce this on my end, and I can confirm something important:

All three .imscc files (both of yours and the other source your provided) you shared do import successfully when the import is run using Common Cartridge 1.x Package as the content type.

If the import is attempted under other options (for example, Canvas Course Export Package), Canvas throws the very generic “unexpected error”, even though the file itself is valid.

So this appears to be less about the cartridge being broken and more about Canvas being extremely strict (and unhelpfully silent) about the import type you choose.

What I’d recommend trying immediately:

Go to Settings → Import Course Content
Select Common Cartridge 1.x Package
Upload the .imscc file again
Proceed with the import

Given that these same files worked a few months ago, it’s very plausible Canvas tightened validation recently without improving the error messaging — which unfortunately makes this look like a platform failure when it’s really a configuration mismatch.

If you’re still seeing failures after selecting Common Cartridge 1.x explicitly, that would be the point to escalate to Canvas Support with timestamps and course IDs.

unity-game-development-full-course-final.imscc

2D_Beginner_Game_Sprite_Flight_6_0_CommonCartridge_20251024_225050.imscc

jeremyfw

HI @aaron_sharp_unity,

I was able to reproduce this on my end, and I can confirm something important:

All three .imscc files (both of yours and the other source your provided) you shared do import successfully when the import is run using Common Cartridge 1.x Package as the content type.

If the import is attempted under other options (for example, Canvas Course Export Package), Canvas throws the very generic “unexpected error”, even though the file itself is valid.

So this appears to be less about the cartridge being broken and more about Canvas being extremely strict (and unhelpfully silent) about the import type you choose.

What I’d recommend trying immediately:

Go to Settings → Import Course Content
Select Common Cartridge 1.x Package
Upload the .imscc file again
Proceed with the import

If you’re still seeing failures after selecting Common Cartridge 1.x explicitly, that would be the point to escalate to Canvas Support with timestamps and course IDs.

unity-game-development-full-course-final.imscc

2D_Beginner_Game_Sprite_Flight_6_0_CommonCartridge_20251024_225050.imscc

aaron_sharp_unity

Hey @jeremyfw - thanks so much for the thorough response.

I was actually using the Common Cartridge 1.x Package format when uploading the Common Cartridges - see image below - and is not working.
Were you able to get it to successfully upload using this workflow?

aaron_sharp_unity

I have also contacted support on this - will report back here if I hear anything.

jeremyfw

Hi,

Yes, in both instances I used the following and import was successful:

troybup

I am having the same problem, few months ago everything was fine.

aaron_sharp_unity

I have an update — I contacted support and they said that 'I checked and found that this concern is related to a known issue that's happening for FFT accounts trying to import content.'

FFT is a "Free for Teacher" account - which might explain why @jeremyfw you're not running into the issue? Do you have an FFT account?

Anyway, apparently, they're looking into it 🙌

jeremyfw

Hi,

Sorry for the delay, no I do not use FFT, I have an institutional account. I agree, that may explain what is going on.

Hope it gets resolved soon.

Cheers,
J

aaron_sharp_unity

Looks like this has been fixed!

Woohoo!

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