Windows 10: Snap Crackle Pop Hum noise

My 2016 refurbished HP ENVY m7 Notebook recently (< 3 weeks) started making odd noises.
(Win 10 Home v1909 then v2004)
When I power it on, between POST and power-on password, it will do a loud click with sometimes a bit of a hum.
Does the same when waking from sleep.
Will occasionally snap / pop while in use or idle.
Noise seems to come from speaker area above keyboard. Makes it hard to tell if it's hardware or coming through the speakers. I haven't been able to pin it down to left or right.
I can hear the fan cycle and it does not sound labored. I ran HP Assist tests and nothing found.

I flipped it and vacuumed the fan area; it wasn't real bad. It did not resolve the issue.
I removed the bottom case for inspection, expecting to find lots of dust and/or some scorching from arcing components, but found neither. It was very clean inside and I could see no sign of anything loose, arcing, nor burnt components. Unfortunately, I could only see the bottom side of the motherboard. I did do a little more compressed air & vacuuming.

(I have reviewed Loud buzzing noise
Dell Inspiron 24 5459 AIO making humming noise
and done everything I can for cleaning and testing fan.)

Back together, I applied the Win 10 v2004 update (moving up from v1909).
I cloned v1909 using Clonezilla (a linux app). Some/all the time linux was running, it made a low humming noise.During all of the above, my audio is muted. I now toggled mute off/on and it crackled/popped about 25% of the time, increasing my suspicion of an audio hardware/software issue.I checked all the audio drivers and they are up-to-date.Applied v2004 update. At least twice during the update reboots, it sounded like a siren, about half as loud as a smoke alarm, for 5-10 minutes. When v2004 finished installing, it was back to snap/pop/hum. This is making me think more that it is an audio hardware/software issue.During all of the above, my audio is muted (and battery out).

So, it could be a loose speaker wire (sound works fine) above the motherboard.
It could be some other component on top side of motherboard that is arcing / failing.
It could be software that is sending bad signals to speakers.

I know one can't diagnose hardware remotely.
My big questions:
1) Has anyone heard of anything odd like this as a result of recent MS updates?
2) Anyone run into a similar hardware issue?

My big fear is a component on top side of motherboard that is arcing / failing and starting a fire.
I bought it in 10/2016 as refurbished, so it could be due for replacement and is a bit old for repairs, but it's otherwise running great. I got a great price for it and haven't seen anything like it (17" 16GB RAM 1TB HDD) for less than $1,000.

HP ENVY m7 Notebook
Windows 10 Home v1909 now v2004
Intel Core i7-6500U CPU @ 2.50GHz
16GB RAM
Laptop + HP 23" additional monitor via HDMI
Screen Resolution: 1920x1080 32 bit color
Hard Drives: 1TB HHD

:)

 

Crackling noise

Hi,

To better assist you regarding your concern, we would like to ask some questions:

• Is the crackling noise affecting the performance of your computer?
• Which part of your computer do you hear the crackling noise?

There are many reasons why your computer is having a noise. It can be that your computer's fan or air vent is covered with dust. Cleaning it can help you resolve your concern. It can be that your BIOS is not updated, you can update your BIOS with the help
of your computer's manufacturer.

We're looking forward to your response.

 

(Xi-Fi) snap & crackle problems in most games

I have the XtremeGamer XiFi Fatal1ty Professional.....had it over a year and it cost almost £100 back then........

BF2 Snap crackle pop
GRID Snap Crackle Pop
STALKER Snap Crackle pop (that bad I just dont play it cos of this)

call me a sucker for marketing hype, but I thought 'GAMER' edition would entail it was especially good for 'GAMING'....

My onboard (actually, I dont have onboard but the soundcard I got with my ASUS MF mobo) is disabled and I have no other conflicting drivers installed.

 

(Xi-Fi) snap & crackle problems in most games

I guess I'm lucky, I get no Snaps, Crackles, Pops, or Fizz