How to Check If a Drive Works With Your Synology (60-Second Method)
Compatibility data on this site last refreshed 2026-10-29 · reading time ~3 min
Drive compatibility in Synology-land is per part number, per machine, sometimes even per firmware. A three-step check takes a minute and prevents nearly every surprise.
Step 1 — Identify both sides exactly
Your NAS model including the suffix (DS923+ vs DS923xs are different machines) and the drive's full part number (e.g. WD80EFZZ, not 'WD Red 8TB'). The part number is on the drive label or the vendor's spec sheet.
Step 2 — Look it up on the machine's list
Open your model's page on this site (built from Synology's official HCL, refreshed daily) and search the part number in the filter box. Green result: it's officially listed, including the capacities Synology tested. No result: the drive will likely still work, but it's untested territory.
Step 3 — Check capacity context
Some machines list a part number only at smaller capacities, and very large drives (20TB+) appear only on newer models. If your target capacity is near the machine's listed maximum, double-check the drive's own page for which models list that specific size.
The two classic mistakes
- Buying by series name ('it's an IronWolf, it'll work') — different part numbers in the same series have different coverage
- Trusting a retailer's 'NAS compatible' badge — it means NAS-class, not your-NAS-listed
Quick answers
Is the Synology compatibility list legally required?
No — drives not on the list generally work. The list defines what Synology tested and supports, which matters for warranty and support cases.
How often does Synology update the list?
Continuously — new part numbers appear as drives launch. This site re-reads Synology's list daily.
Check your exact model
Compatibility is per machine and per part number. Pick your model for its full official drive list: