Difference Between Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Retail (RTL) Internal Drives

OEM and Retail Drive Support Information

Western Digital offers two versions of Serial ATA 3.5" and 2.5" hard drives.
They can be identified by the package, model number and serial number.

The drives will physically look the same.

• Retail (RTL)
  • Comes with a valid warranty.
  • They are sold in a retail package and may include accessories.


• Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
  • These drives are sold to computer makers or distributors in bulk packaging (bare drive only).
    They do not have a warranty from Western Digital.
  • They are sold without accessories or software.
  • The drives have no warranty when sold to companies such as Dell, Compaq, Apple, Amazon, etc.
    They would have the warranty of the system that it comes in.
  • These drives do not have support through Western Digital Customer Service.

OEM or Retail Drive Verification

Check the drives warranty status to determine if the drive is:

• In Limited Warranty
• Out of Warranty
• No Limited Warranty
• No Results Found

Need more help?
Check Warranty Coverage Status

Warranty Status Definitions

• In limited Warranty:
  The drive can be replaced.


• Out of Warranty:
  The drive's warranty has ended.


• No Limited Warranty:
  The drive was sold and shipped in a third-party device and is OEM.
  Western Digital does not provide Technical Support, Firmware Updates, or Warranty Services for OEM drives.


• No Results Found:
  Can mean the drive is Out of Warranty and no longer in the system.
  Check the drive build date and the warranty length.
  
  

  

Need more help?

• Answer ID 2: WD Product Warranty Periods
• Answer ID 10336: Steps to Get a Warranty Replacement, Power Supply, or USB Cable
• Answer ID 18593: Update, Correct, or Extend a WD Product Warranty