How to disconnect subwoofer on HP Envy 17-n000

[djinncoyote]

A month or so ago, my laptop started making a short burst-of-static noise when starting up. Since then, the problem worsened; now it often makes a staticky noise when playing any audio, though mostly at the beginning of the audio.

[I've since noticed that the problem only happens while the laptop charger is plugged in.]

It seems to be a common problem for this laptop model, and seems to be related to the subwoofer:

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Audio/static-through-Bang-amp-Olufsen-Speakers/td-p/6816301
https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Audio/HP-ENVY-x360-Bang-amp-Olufsen-Sound-Problem/td-p/6826526
https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Audio/Distorted-sound-from-HP-Envy-internal-speakers-when-plugged/td-p/7202628
https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Audio/Subwoofer-Envy-17-malfunction/td-p/6598970

A comment in the last above link indicates that even replacing the subwoofer didn't get rid of the problem. Disconnecting the subwoofer seems to work - though obviously that will also affect the audio quality of the laptop.

The following videos show how to disconnect the subwoofer. First one has to remove the battery, optical drive, and back cover.

Replace the Battery | HP ENVY 17-n000 Notebook PC | HP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdsMooAgFp0

Replace the Optical Drive | HP ENVY 17-n000 Notebook PC | HP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcAzdecyVzk

Replace the Base Enclosure | HP ENVY 17-n000 Notebook PC | HP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unH7eiITT5s

Removing the back cover ("base enclosure") requires removing many screws.
From the above video transcript:
00:19 Remove the five 4 mm P1 Phillips-head screws that secure the base enclosure to the top cover.
00:36 Remove the seven 5 mm P1 Phillips-head screws that secure the base enclosure to the top cover.
00:53 Remove the two 2 mm P1 Phillips broad-head screws from the optical drive bay that secure the base enclosure to the top cover.
01:04 Remove the five 3 mm P1 Phillips-head screws from the battery bay that secure the base enclosure to the top cover.
01:21 Starting (at the) battery bay, carefully separate the edges of the base enclosure from the top cover.
01:31 CAUTION! To prevent damage to the base enclosure, take extreme care when separating the area around the optical drive bay from the top cover.
01:40 Lift the base enclosure off of the top cover and remove.


Replace the Subwoofer | HP ENVY 17-n000 Notebook PC | HP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yjuz-DHUHQ0