Hard drives and SSDs are both in short supply, and storage has become one of the more expensive parts of any computer, NAS or server. If a drive fails, getting the data back is often quicker and cheaper than you might expect compared with the cost of losing it.
Why storage is in short supply
AI services produce and store enormous amounts of data, and the data centres that run them buy hard drives in huge volumes. In September 2025 the research firm TrendForce reported that waiting times for large data-centre hard drives had grown from a few weeks to more than 52 weeks. Its explanation: the hard drive makers had not expanded their factories in recent years, so they could not keep up with the sudden jump in demand.
Some of that demand moved to SSDs instead, which put pressure on flash memory too. TrendForce expects the contract prices that manufacturers pay for flash memory to rise by another 15–20% in October to December 2026, mainly because of AI servers.
The shortage started with data-centre drives, but home and business buyers feel it as well, because the same makers and factories supply everyone.
What it means if a drive fails
- Replacing the drive isn’t the hard part. Replacing the data is. Photos, accounts, emails and project files can’t be bought again, whatever drives cost.
- Older drives are being kept in service for longer. That makes backups more important than ever, especially for NAS boxes and small business servers.
- If a drive starts clicking, beeping or disappearing, stop using it and switch it off. Don’t run repair or recovery software, and never open a hard drive yourself. Every extra hour of use can make recovery harder.
How we can help
We recover data from failed hard drives, SSDs, RAID arrays and NAS boxes in our own lab and clean room in central London, for customers anywhere in the UK. The first step is always a free evaluation, and you are told the price before any recovery work starts. We arrange courier collection from anywhere in mainland UK, or you can drop the drive off at our lab in SE1.
Sources
- TrendForce, 15 September 2025: Soaring inference AI demand triggers severe nearline HDD shortages
- TrendForce, 30 September 2026: AI server demand sustains memory contract price increases in 4Q26
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