This article is solely my opinion and review of NorthridgeFix.
A while ago, I had a second-hand 2 TB drive that held a large collection of random files, including important family photos and videos. One day, after a Windows Update, the drive suddenly stopped loading. The indicator lights still flickered as if there was activity, so I tried several USB cables, different USB ports, and even another computer—nothing worked.
While looking for solutions online, I came across a YouTube channel called North Ridge Fix, which featured various videos claiming successful hard-drive repairs. I decided to reach out to them with the details of my issue, and they instructed me to mail my drive to:
| Address |
|---|
| NorthridgeFix 18473 Devonshire St. #C Northridge, CA 91325 |
I shipped the package, and it was delivered 4–6 days later, on 2022-04-26. They updated the ticket to confirm they had received it. After that, I heard nothing for more than two months. I finally contacted them on 2022-06-05 for an update, and on 2022-06-06, someone named Dolly Elali responded, saying she would check with their technicians. She also mentioned their turnaround time was 3–8 weeks—already past the two-month mark.
After waiting another month, I emailed them again on 2022-07-06, explaining that the delay was unreasonable and requesting that my drive be returned to me so I could cancel the repair. Dolly replied once more, apologizing and saying she would check with the techs, but nothing happened. I reached out again on 2022-07-10, and on 2022-07-11, she apologized yet again and said she was still waiting for an update. I received nothing until 2022-07-21, when she said she hadn’t responded earlier because she was still waiting to hear about the status.
Throughout this entire time, I repeatedly told them to stop working on the drive and simply send it back to me. They ignored every request. Instead, they continued to “evaluate” the device for another month. Then, on 2022-08-01, I received an email from Alex Ali, stating that the data could not be recovered. He said the circuit board had no issues but that the drive had mechanical problems requiring a lab to retrieve the data. He included an invoice for $64.25 for this “diagnostic,” even though I had already told them multiple times to stop and return the drive.
After some back-and-forth—during which he initially insisted on payment by check—he finally allowed me to pay by credit card, adding a so-called “discount” that was much smaller than the original amount.
In the end, I had to pay $64.25 for work I explicitly told them not to perform. When the drive was finally returned to me, it wouldn’t power on at all—no lights, no signs of activity. I have no idea whether they removed components or damaged it further during their “inspection.”
All of our interactions are shown in the photos below. Based on my experience, I strongly recommend not sending anything to them unless you’re prepared for months of delays, poor communication, and the possibility of never receiving your item back in proper condition. I wish I had read their Yelp reviews beforehand—my mistake was not doing so.
