diff --git a/general/package/goke-osdrv-gk7205v200/files/script/load_goke b/general/package/goke-osdrv-gk7205v200/files/script/load_goke
index ed8b69067d..0759e5fd18 100755
--- a/general/package/goke-osdrv-gk7205v200/files/script/load_goke
+++ b/general/package/goke-osdrv-gk7205v200/files/script/load_goke
@@ -455,6 +455,16 @@ if [ $# -lt 1 ]; then
 fi
 
 if [ $b_arg_insmod -eq 1 ]; then
+	# A failed probe used to be stored as sensor=unknown, and rcS exports the
+	# stored value into SENSOR before this ever runs -- so an already-latched
+	# camera arrives here with SENSOR=unknown, takes the "set manually" branch
+	# below, and never probes again however the real fault is fixed. Treat it
+	# as unset and drop it from the environment so this boot re-detects. #2428.
+	if [ "$SENSOR" = "unknown" ]; then
+		SENSOR=
+		fw_setenv sensor
+	fi
+
 	if [ -n "$SENSOR" ]; then
 		logger -s -p daemon.info -t goke "SENSOR: ${SENSOR}"
 	else
@@ -467,7 +477,15 @@ if [ $b_arg_insmod -eq 1 ]; then
 			export SENSOR=${SENSOR_DETECT:=unknown}
 			remove_detect
 			logger -s -p daemon.info -t goke "Get data from ipcinfo and set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
-			fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t goke "Writing ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+			# Do not persist a failed detection. The fw_printenv branch above wins
+			# whenever `sensor` exists, so writing "unknown" here latches the camera
+			# into "SENSOR is not detected, aborting..." for good -- detection never
+			# runs again and nothing says why. Seen on a GK7202V500 in #2428.
+			# load_ingenic has always cleared the variable instead of storing the
+			# miss; this is the same behaviour, reached by not writing at all.
+			if [ "$SENSOR" != "unknown" ]; then
+				fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t goke "Writing ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+			fi
 		fi
 	fi
 fi
diff --git a/general/package/goke-osdrv-gk7205v500/files/script/load_goke b/general/package/goke-osdrv-gk7205v500/files/script/load_goke
index e7b4fce8c8..df8f0246d5 100755
--- a/general/package/goke-osdrv-gk7205v500/files/script/load_goke
+++ b/general/package/goke-osdrv-gk7205v500/files/script/load_goke
@@ -267,6 +267,16 @@ if [ $# -lt 1 ]; then
 fi
 
 if [ $b_arg_insmod -eq 1 ]; then
+	# A failed probe used to be stored as sensor=unknown, and rcS exports the
+	# stored value into SENSOR before this ever runs -- so an already-latched
+	# camera arrives here with SENSOR=unknown, takes the "set manually" branch
+	# below, and never probes again however the real fault is fixed. Treat it
+	# as unset and drop it from the environment so this boot re-detects. #2428.
+	if [ "$SENSOR" = "unknown" ]; then
+		SENSOR=
+		fw_setenv sensor
+	fi
+
 	if [ -n "$SENSOR" ]; then
 		logger -s -p daemon.info -t goke "SENSOR: ${SENSOR}"
 	else
@@ -279,7 +289,15 @@ if [ $b_arg_insmod -eq 1 ]; then
 			export SENSOR=${SENSOR_DETECT:=unknown}
 			remove_detect
 			logger -s -p daemon.info -t goke "Get data from ipcinfo and set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
-			fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t goke "Writing ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+			# Do not persist a failed detection. The fw_printenv branch above wins
+			# whenever `sensor` exists, so writing "unknown" here latches the camera
+			# into "SENSOR is not detected, aborting..." for good -- detection never
+			# runs again and nothing says why. Seen on a GK7202V500 in #2428.
+			# load_ingenic has always cleared the variable instead of storing the
+			# miss; this is the same behaviour, reached by not writing at all.
+			if [ "$SENSOR" != "unknown" ]; then
+				fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t goke "Writing ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+			fi
 		fi
 	fi
 fi
diff --git a/general/package/grainmedia-osdrv-gm8136/files/script/load_grainmedia b/general/package/grainmedia-osdrv-gm8136/files/script/load_grainmedia
index 2d94692720..700134f289 100755
--- a/general/package/grainmedia-osdrv-gm8136/files/script/load_grainmedia
+++ b/general/package/grainmedia-osdrv-gm8136/files/script/load_grainmedia
@@ -21,6 +21,16 @@ if [ "$chipid" != "8136" ] && [ "$chipid" != "8135" ]; then
     exit
 fi
 
+# A failed probe used to be stored as sensor=unknown, and rcS exports the
+# stored value into SENSOR before this ever runs -- so an already-latched
+# camera arrives here with SENSOR=unknown, takes the "set manually" branch
+# below, and never probes again however the real fault is fixed. Treat it
+# as unset and drop it from the environment so this boot re-detects. #2428.
+if [ "$SENSOR" = "unknown" ]; then
+	SENSOR=
+	fw_setenv sensor
+fi
+
 if [ -n "$SENSOR" ]; then
 	logger -s -p daemon.info -t grainmedia "Manualy set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
 else
@@ -32,7 +42,15 @@ else
 		SENSOR_DETECT=$(ipcinfo --short-sensor)
 		export SENSOR=${SENSOR_DETECT:=unknown}
 		logger -s -p daemon.info -t grainmedia "Get data from ipcinfo and set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
-		fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t grainmedia "Write detected ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+		# Do not persist a failed detection. The fw_printenv branch above wins
+		# whenever `sensor` exists, so writing "unknown" here latches the camera
+		# into "SENSOR is not detected, aborting..." for good -- detection never
+		# runs again and nothing says why. Seen on a GK7202V500 in #2428.
+		# load_ingenic has always cleared the variable instead of storing the
+		# miss; this is the same behaviour, reached by not writing at all.
+		if [ "$SENSOR" != "unknown" ]; then
+			fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t grainmedia "Write detected ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+		fi
 	fi
 fi
 
diff --git a/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516av100/files/script/load_hisilicon b/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516av100/files/script/load_hisilicon
index f470d55b1f..1d10ded6cc 100755
--- a/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516av100/files/script/load_hisilicon
+++ b/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516av100/files/script/load_hisilicon
@@ -453,6 +453,16 @@ fi
 # SENSOR=${SENSOR:=imx307}
 #
 
+# A failed probe used to be stored as sensor=unknown, and rcS exports the
+# stored value into SENSOR before this ever runs -- so an already-latched
+# camera arrives here with SENSOR=unknown, takes the "set manually" branch
+# below, and never probes again however the real fault is fixed. Treat it
+# as unset and drop it from the environment so this boot re-detects. #2428.
+if [ "$SENSOR" = "unknown" ]; then
+	SENSOR=
+	fw_setenv sensor
+fi
+
 if [ -n "$SENSOR" ]; then
         logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Manualy set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
 else
@@ -466,7 +476,15 @@ else
                 export SENSOR=${SENSOR_DETECT:=unknown}
                 remove_detect
                 logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Get data from ipcinfo and set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
-                fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Write detected ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+                # Do not persist a failed detection. The fw_printenv branch above wins
+                # whenever `sensor` exists, so writing "unknown" here latches the camera
+                # into "SENSOR is not detected, aborting..." for good -- detection never
+                # runs again and nothing says why. Seen on a GK7202V500 in #2428.
+                # load_ingenic has always cleared the variable instead of storing the
+                # miss; this is the same behaviour, reached by not writing at all.
+                if [ "$SENSOR" != "unknown" ]; then
+                	fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Write detected ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+                fi
         fi
 fi
 
diff --git a/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516cv100/files/script/load_hisilicon b/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516cv100/files/script/load_hisilicon
index ca995d836f..bd67910f99 100755
--- a/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516cv100/files/script/load_hisilicon
+++ b/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516cv100/files/script/load_hisilicon
@@ -436,6 +436,16 @@ calc_mmz_info
 # Sensor config
 # SENSOR=${SENSOR:=imx307}
 #
+# A failed probe used to be stored as sensor=unknown, and rcS exports the
+# stored value into SENSOR before this ever runs -- so an already-latched
+# camera arrives here with SENSOR=unknown, takes the "set manually" branch
+# below, and never probes again however the real fault is fixed. Treat it
+# as unset and drop it from the environment so this boot re-detects. #2428.
+if [ "$SENSOR" = "unknown" ]; then
+	SENSOR=
+	fw_setenv sensor
+fi
+
 if [ -n "$SENSOR" ]; then
 	logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Manualy set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
 else
@@ -449,7 +459,15 @@ else
 		export SENSOR=${SENSOR_DETECT:=unknown}
 		remove_detect
 		logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Get data from ipcinfo and set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
-		fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Write detected ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+		# Do not persist a failed detection. The fw_printenv branch above wins
+		# whenever `sensor` exists, so writing "unknown" here latches the camera
+		# into "SENSOR is not detected, aborting..." for good -- detection never
+		# runs again and nothing says why. Seen on a GK7202V500 in #2428.
+		# load_ingenic has always cleared the variable instead of storing the
+		# miss; this is the same behaviour, reached by not writing at all.
+		if [ "$SENSOR" != "unknown" ]; then
+			fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Write detected ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+		fi
 	fi
 fi
 
diff --git a/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516cv200/files/script/load_hisilicon b/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516cv200/files/script/load_hisilicon
index 7975af7c2e..9c05e638da 100755
--- a/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516cv200/files/script/load_hisilicon
+++ b/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516cv200/files/script/load_hisilicon
@@ -490,6 +490,16 @@ fi
 # SENSOR=${SENSOR:=imx307}
 #
 
+# A failed probe used to be stored as sensor=unknown, and rcS exports the
+# stored value into SENSOR before this ever runs -- so an already-latched
+# camera arrives here with SENSOR=unknown, takes the "set manually" branch
+# below, and never probes again however the real fault is fixed. Treat it
+# as unset and drop it from the environment so this boot re-detects. #2428.
+if [ "$SENSOR" = "unknown" ]; then
+	SENSOR=
+	fw_setenv sensor
+fi
+
 if [ -n "$SENSOR" ]; then
         logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Manualy set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
 else
@@ -503,7 +513,15 @@ else
                 export SENSOR=${SENSOR_DETECT:=unknown}
                 remove_detect
                 logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Get data from ipcinfo and set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
-                fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Write detected ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+                # Do not persist a failed detection. The fw_printenv branch above wins
+                # whenever `sensor` exists, so writing "unknown" here latches the camera
+                # into "SENSOR is not detected, aborting..." for good -- detection never
+                # runs again and nothing says why. Seen on a GK7202V500 in #2428.
+                # load_ingenic has always cleared the variable instead of storing the
+                # miss; this is the same behaviour, reached by not writing at all.
+                if [ "$SENSOR" != "unknown" ]; then
+                	fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Write detected ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+                fi
         fi
 fi
 
diff --git a/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516cv300/files/script/load_hisilicon b/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516cv300/files/script/load_hisilicon
index 5aba07614d..bfc25d8d8f 100755
--- a/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516cv300/files/script/load_hisilicon
+++ b/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516cv300/files/script/load_hisilicon
@@ -581,6 +581,16 @@ fi
 # Sensor config
 # SENSOR=${SENSOR:=imx307}
 #
+# A failed probe used to be stored as sensor=unknown, and rcS exports the
+# stored value into SENSOR before this ever runs -- so an already-latched
+# camera arrives here with SENSOR=unknown, takes the "set manually" branch
+# below, and never probes again however the real fault is fixed. Treat it
+# as unset and drop it from the environment so this boot re-detects. #2428.
+if [ "$SENSOR" = "unknown" ]; then
+	SENSOR=
+	fw_setenv sensor
+fi
+
 if [ -n "$SENSOR" ]; then
 	logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Manualy set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
 else
@@ -594,7 +604,15 @@ else
 		export SENSOR=${SENSOR_DETECT:=unknown}
 		remove_detect
 		logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Get data from ipcinfo and set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
-		fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Write detected ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+		# Do not persist a failed detection. The fw_printenv branch above wins
+		# whenever `sensor` exists, so writing "unknown" here latches the camera
+		# into "SENSOR is not detected, aborting..." for good -- detection never
+		# runs again and nothing says why. Seen on a GK7202V500 in #2428.
+		# load_ingenic has always cleared the variable instead of storing the
+		# miss; this is the same behaviour, reached by not writing at all.
+		if [ "$SENSOR" != "unknown" ]; then
+			fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Write detected ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+		fi
 	fi
 fi
 
diff --git a/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516cv500/files/script/load_hisilicon b/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516cv500/files/script/load_hisilicon
index 575875e035..961facab31 100755
--- a/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516cv500/files/script/load_hisilicon
+++ b/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516cv500/files/script/load_hisilicon
@@ -394,6 +394,16 @@ fi
 # Sensor config
 # SENSOR=${SENSOR:=imx307}
 #
+# A failed probe used to be stored as sensor=unknown, and rcS exports the
+# stored value into SENSOR before this ever runs -- so an already-latched
+# camera arrives here with SENSOR=unknown, takes the "set manually" branch
+# below, and never probes again however the real fault is fixed. Treat it
+# as unset and drop it from the environment so this boot re-detects. #2428.
+if [ "$SENSOR" = "unknown" ]; then
+	SENSOR=
+	fw_setenv sensor
+fi
+
 if [ -n "$SENSOR" ]; then
     logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Manualy set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
 else
@@ -407,7 +417,15 @@ else
         export SENSOR=${SENSOR_DETECT:=unknown}
         remove_detect
         logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Get data from ipcinfo and set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
-        fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Write detected ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+        # Do not persist a failed detection. The fw_printenv branch above wins
+        # whenever `sensor` exists, so writing "unknown" here latches the camera
+        # into "SENSOR is not detected, aborting..." for good -- detection never
+        # runs again and nothing says why. Seen on a GK7202V500 in #2428.
+        # load_ingenic has always cleared the variable instead of storing the
+        # miss; this is the same behaviour, reached by not writing at all.
+        if [ "$SENSOR" != "unknown" ]; then
+        	fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Write detected ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+        fi
     fi
 fi
 
diff --git a/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516cv6xx/files/script/load_hisilicon b/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516cv6xx/files/script/load_hisilicon
index 795b5e4e0b..36670aa183 100755
--- a/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516cv6xx/files/script/load_hisilicon
+++ b/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516cv6xx/files/script/load_hisilicon
@@ -349,6 +349,16 @@ fi
 
 calc_mmz_info
 
+# A failed probe used to be stored as sensor=unknown, and rcS exports the
+# stored value into SENSOR before this ever runs -- so an already-latched
+# camera arrives here with SENSOR=unknown, takes the "set manually" branch
+# below, and never probes again however the real fault is fixed. Treat it
+# as unset and drop it from the environment so this boot re-detects. #2428.
+if [ "$SENSOR" = "unknown" ]; then
+	SENSOR=
+	fw_setenv sensor
+fi
+
 if [ -n "$SENSOR" ]; then
 	logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Manualy set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
 else
@@ -362,7 +372,15 @@ else
 		export SENSOR=${SENSOR_DETECT:=unknown}
 		remove_detect
 		logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Get data from ipcinfo and set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
-		fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Write detected ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+		# Do not persist a failed detection. The fw_printenv branch above wins
+		# whenever `sensor` exists, so writing "unknown" here latches the camera
+		# into "SENSOR is not detected, aborting..." for good -- detection never
+		# runs again and nothing says why. Seen on a GK7202V500 in #2428.
+		# load_ingenic has always cleared the variable instead of storing the
+		# miss; this is the same behaviour, reached by not writing at all.
+		if [ "$SENSOR" != "unknown" ]; then
+			fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Write detected ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+		fi
 	fi
 fi
 
diff --git a/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516ev200/files/script/load_hisilicon b/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516ev200/files/script/load_hisilicon
index e601b21e6c..0db48ae77b 100755
--- a/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516ev200/files/script/load_hisilicon
+++ b/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3516ev200/files/script/load_hisilicon
@@ -394,6 +394,16 @@ fi
 # Sensor config
 # SENSOR=${SENSOR:=imx307}
 #
+# A failed probe used to be stored as sensor=unknown, and rcS exports the
+# stored value into SENSOR before this ever runs -- so an already-latched
+# camera arrives here with SENSOR=unknown, takes the "set manually" branch
+# below, and never probes again however the real fault is fixed. Treat it
+# as unset and drop it from the environment so this boot re-detects. #2428.
+if [ "$SENSOR" = "unknown" ]; then
+	SENSOR=
+	fw_setenv sensor
+fi
+
 if [ -n "$SENSOR" ]; then
 	logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Manualy set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
 else
@@ -407,7 +417,15 @@ else
 		export SENSOR=${SENSOR_DETECT:=unknown}
 		remove_detect
 		logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Get data from ipcinfo and set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
-		fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Write detected ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+		# Do not persist a failed detection. The fw_printenv branch above wins
+		# whenever `sensor` exists, so writing "unknown" here latches the camera
+		# into "SENSOR is not detected, aborting..." for good -- detection never
+		# runs again and nothing says why. Seen on a GK7202V500 in #2428.
+		# load_ingenic has always cleared the variable instead of storing the
+		# miss; this is the same behaviour, reached by not writing at all.
+		if [ "$SENSOR" != "unknown" ]; then
+			fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Write detected ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+		fi
 	fi
 fi
 
diff --git a/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3519dv500/files/script/load_hisilicon b/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3519dv500/files/script/load_hisilicon
index 5318b311a7..26d4c8e12a 100755
--- a/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3519dv500/files/script/load_hisilicon
+++ b/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3519dv500/files/script/load_hisilicon
@@ -349,6 +349,16 @@ fi
 
 calc_mmz_info
 
+# A failed probe used to be stored as sensor=unknown, and rcS exports the
+# stored value into SENSOR before this ever runs -- so an already-latched
+# camera arrives here with SENSOR=unknown, takes the "set manually" branch
+# below, and never probes again however the real fault is fixed. Treat it
+# as unset and drop it from the environment so this boot re-detects. #2428.
+if [ "$SENSOR" = "unknown" ]; then
+	SENSOR=
+	fw_setenv sensor
+fi
+
 if [ -n "$SENSOR" ]; then
 	logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Manualy set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
 else
@@ -362,7 +372,15 @@ else
 		export SENSOR=${SENSOR_DETECT:=unknown}
 		remove_detect
 		logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Get data from ipcinfo and set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
-		fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Write detected ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+		# Do not persist a failed detection. The fw_printenv branch above wins
+		# whenever `sensor` exists, so writing "unknown" here latches the camera
+		# into "SENSOR is not detected, aborting..." for good -- detection never
+		# runs again and nothing says why. Seen on a GK7202V500 in #2428.
+		# load_ingenic has always cleared the variable instead of storing the
+		# miss; this is the same behaviour, reached by not writing at all.
+		if [ "$SENSOR" != "unknown" ]; then
+			fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Write detected ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+		fi
 	fi
 fi
 
diff --git a/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3519v101/files/script/load_hisilicon b/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3519v101/files/script/load_hisilicon
index 90222c01b2..66c00dab53 100755
--- a/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3519v101/files/script/load_hisilicon
+++ b/general/package/hisilicon-osdrv-hi3519v101/files/script/load_hisilicon
@@ -895,6 +895,16 @@ fi
 # SENSOR=${SENSOR:=imx307}
 #
 
+# A failed probe used to be stored as sensor=unknown, and rcS exports the
+# stored value into SENSOR before this ever runs -- so an already-latched
+# camera arrives here with SENSOR=unknown, takes the "set manually" branch
+# below, and never probes again however the real fault is fixed. Treat it
+# as unset and drop it from the environment so this boot re-detects. #2428.
+if [ "$SENSOR" = "unknown" ]; then
+	SENSOR=
+	fw_setenv sensor
+fi
+
 if [ -n "$SENSOR" ]; then
 	logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Manualy set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
 else
@@ -908,7 +918,15 @@ else
 		export SENSOR=${SENSOR_DETECT:=unknown}
 		remove_detect
 		logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Get data from ipcinfo and set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
-		fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Write detected ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+		# Do not persist a failed detection. The fw_printenv branch above wins
+		# whenever `sensor` exists, so writing "unknown" here latches the camera
+		# into "SENSOR is not detected, aborting..." for good -- detection never
+		# runs again and nothing says why. Seen on a GK7202V500 in #2428.
+		# load_ingenic has always cleared the variable instead of storing the
+		# miss; this is the same behaviour, reached by not writing at all.
+		if [ "$SENSOR" != "unknown" ]; then
+			fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t hisilicon "Write detected ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+		fi
 	fi
 fi
 
diff --git a/general/package/novatek-osdrv-nt9856x/files/script/load_novatek b/general/package/novatek-osdrv-nt9856x/files/script/load_novatek
index 9bcd1b5cd5..1ab7584223 100755
--- a/general/package/novatek-osdrv-nt9856x/files/script/load_novatek
+++ b/general/package/novatek-osdrv-nt9856x/files/script/load_novatek
@@ -159,6 +159,16 @@ insert_ko
 # SENSOR=${SENSOR:=imx307}
 #
 
+# A failed probe used to be stored as sensor=unknown, and rcS exports the
+# stored value into SENSOR before this ever runs -- so an already-latched
+# camera arrives here with SENSOR=unknown, takes the "set manually" branch
+# below, and never probes again however the real fault is fixed. Treat it
+# as unset and drop it from the environment so this boot re-detects. #2428.
+if [ "$SENSOR" = "unknown" ]; then
+	SENSOR=
+	fw_setenv sensor
+fi
+
 if [ -n "$SENSOR" ]; then
     logger -s -p daemon.info -t novatek "Manualy set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
 else
@@ -171,7 +181,15 @@ else
         SENSOR_DETECT=$(ipcinfo --short-sensor)
         export SENSOR=${SENSOR_DETECT:=unknown}
         logger -s -p daemon.info -t novatek "Get data from ipcinfo and set SENSOR as ${SENSOR}"
-        fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t novatek "Write detected ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+        # Do not persist a failed detection. The fw_printenv branch above wins
+        # whenever `sensor` exists, so writing "unknown" here latches the camera
+        # into "SENSOR is not detected, aborting..." for good -- detection never
+        # runs again and nothing says why. Seen on a GK7202V500 in #2428.
+        # load_ingenic has always cleared the variable instead of storing the
+        # miss; this is the same behaviour, reached by not writing at all.
+        if [ "$SENSOR" != "unknown" ]; then
+        	fw_setenv sensor $SENSOR && logger -s -p daemon.info -t novatek "Write detected ${SENSOR} to U-Boot ENV"
+        fi
     fi
 fi