The global HDD shortage has reached a critical point in 2026. Demand is rising faster than manufacturers can respond. As a result, both Western Digital and Seagate have sold out all HDD production for the year.
Prices are climbing too. In fact, many HDD models have jumped 46–50% in only a few months. Lead times now stretch from 6 to 12 months, and some enterprise HDDs are delayed by up to two years. For critical industries, this makes proactive planning more important than ever.
Why the HDD Shortage is Worse in 2026
1. AI Data Centres Are Buying Everything First
AI workloads require massive storage. Because of this, the world’s largest cloud and AI companies have locked in multi‑year HDD supply agreements through 2027 and 2028. Consequently, 89% of Western Digital’s HDD revenue now comes from cloud clients, leaving only 5% for everyone else.
2. Production Capacity Has Stalled
Manufacturers have not expanded HDD production in recent years. Because demand is skyrocketing, lead times for nearline HDDs now exceed 52 weeks. With production constrained, alternative storage strategies are becoming essential.
3. SSD Prices Are Also Rising
SSD costs are surging. In some cases, enterprise SSDs cost 16 times more than the same capacity in HDD form. Therefore, data centres are doubling down on HDDs, which further fuels shortages.
Which HDDs Are Most Affected This Year?
- 10TB-30TB enterprise drives
- NAS-grade HDDs for SMB and prosumer storage
- Nearline HDDs used in AI and hyperscale environments
- High-capacity Western Digital and Seagate models
Since these models are critical for many projects, delays can threaten delivery timelines.
How Touchpoint Helps You Stay Ahead in 2026
Touchpoint speacialises in solving supply-chain disruptions before they impact your operations.
Global Sourcing for Hard-to-Find HDDs – We tap into global broker networks to locate stock even when vendors list zero availability. Explore how Touchpoint sources hard‑to‑find and constrained hardware.
Strategic Storage Procurement & Forecasting – We help you plan 6-24 months ahead so you never miss a deadline. Explore how Touchpoint supports long‑term storage procurement and forecasting.
Hybrid & Scale-Out Storage Design – We develop architectures combining HDD, QLC SSD, and cloud tiers to reduce risk and improve resilience. Explore how Touchpoint designs resilient hybrid and scale‑out storage systems.
Infrastructure Lifecycle Extension – We source legacy or discontinued HDDs to extend system lifecycles when replacements are unavailable. Explore how Touchpoint extends infrastructure lifecycles with legacy hardware sourcing.
These solutions reduce the impact of rising prices and long lead times. If you’re planning upgrades, contact Touchpoint to discuss your storage requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there still an HDD capacity shortage in 2026?
Yes. Both Western Digital and Seagate have sold out all 2026 HDD production.
Why are HDD prices so high this year?
AI data centres are buying most of the available stock, causing prices to rise up to 50%.
How long are HDD lead times now?
Lead times range from six months to more than a year. Nearline HDDs are delayed up to two years. Western Digital HDD capacity shortage has increased strain on lead times.
Will HDD supply improve in 2027?
Not likely. Orders are already locked in through 2028.
How can Touchpoint help me secure HDD stock during the shortage?
We source HDDs through global networks and alternative channels when primary vendors are out of stock. This reduces wait times and keeps critical projects moving.
What industries does Touchpoint support during this shortage?
We help government, defence, heavy transport & logistics, banking & finance, media & entertainment, telecommunication and other critical industries maintain storage continuity.
Can Touchpoint supply hard-to-find or discontinued HDDs?
Yes. We specialise in legacy and lifecycle-extension sourcing to keep infrastructure running longer.