Your White Knight tumble dryer is making a loud noise and the drum is not turning. This is a common fault pattern in models across the range, and the noise usually points to wear in the rotating parts — drum, belt, or motor.
Likely causes
Based on 35 similar repairs, the most frequent culprits are:
Drum wear or damage (reported in ~85% of cases): The drum can develop worn seals, split fins, or internal damage that creates loud grinding, scraping, or squealing. If the drum is severely damaged or seized, it may prevent rotation altogether.
Belt failure (reported in ~33% of cases): The drive belt stretches, wears thin, or snaps. A worn belt often slips and produces squealing; a broken belt stops the drum entirely.
Motor problems (reported in ~33% of cases): The motor may seize, develop bearing wear, or fail mechanically. Motor noise typically sounds like grinding or a burnt smell may be present.
What you can try yourself (DIY)
Before calling an engineer, you can safely inspect the outside of your dryer and listen carefully:
Check the lint filter and air pathway: Remove and clean the lint filter thoroughly. Blocked air paths can cause the appliance to overheat and affect performance. Also check that the condenser is not blocked with fluff.
Listen to the exact noise: When you switch on (or attempt to), does it squeal (belt), grind (drum or motor), or simply click (motor won't start)? This helps narrow down the fault.
Look inside the drum: If safe to do so, open the door and peer into the drum. Check for visible splits, protruding metal, or objects jammed inside. Do not force the door open if it's stuck.
Test for blockages: Ensure the condenser hose is not kinked or blocked, and that nothing is caught between the drum and casing.
If the noise continues and the drum will not turn, the fault likely lies in internal wear parts (drum seals, belt, or motor bearings) that require specialist access.
Why this needs an engineer
Accessing the drum, belt, and motor requires dismantling the cabinet and working with mains-voltage components. Attempting to force the drum to turn or remove internal parts without proper tools and training risks electric shock, further damage, and loss of safety certification. A qualified engineer can diagnose which part has failed and replace it safely.
If you're in Northern Ireland, SMC Services can usually book a repair within 2-3 working days.
When to call SMC Services
Contact a qualified engineer if:
The drum will not turn when the dryer is switched on.
The noise is loud and persistent (grinding, squealing, or banging).
You smell burning or notice smoke.
The door or casing is cracked or bent, restricting access to clean filters.
Step by step
Signs that need professional attention. Loud grinding, squealing, or banging from the drum area; drum refuses to turn; burning smell; smoke or visible damage to the cabinet or door seal.
Safe checks before calling. Ensure the dryer is switched off and the plug is out of the socket. Clean the lint filter and condenser. Check inside the drum for visible splits, foreign objects, or obstruction.
Note the exact noise type. Does it squeal (likely belt), grind (likely drum or motor), or click without turning (likely motor stalled)? Tell the engineer — this speeds up diagnosis.
Do not force or dismantle. Avoid forcing the drum to rotate or opening the appliance yourself. Mains voltage components are live, and improper handling voids safety certification.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace the belt myself?
Some confident customers do replace the belt in models in the White Knight range, but it requires safe mains isolation, access to the motor pulley, and correct tensioning. If you're unsure, it's safer to call an engineer.
Is a noisy dryer dangerous to use?
Loud noise usually signals internal wear rather than immediate danger, but a seized drum or faulty motor can overheat. If there's a burning smell or smoke, stop using it and call an engineer.
How much does a drum or belt replacement cost?
We don't quote parts or labour over email. Call us for a free diagnosis and estimate once we've identified the exact fault.
My dryer is very old — is it worth fixing?
That depends on the cost of repair versus replacement and your budget. Once we've diagnosed the fault, we can advise whether repair makes sense, but we can't make that decision for you.
What if the drum is split or permanently damaged?
A split drum cannot be repaired and must be replaced. If the part is obsolete, the dryer may be uneconomical to fix. Our engineer will confirm this during diagnosis.
Get this fixed
Prefer a pro? A local appliance engineer can carry out this repair. SMC's own repair service covers Northern Ireland only.
About the data on this page
This page draws on 27 similar repairs
from across 29 years of SMC Services records — over
116,000+ appliance repairs in total since 1997. The
likely-cause percentages above are computed directly from the engineer reports we filed
for this brand and fault, and we update them as new repairs come in.