diff --git a/drivers/net/netconsole.c b/drivers/net/netconsole.c
index 9cb4dfc242f5..82c232f9ede2 100644
--- a/drivers/net/netconsole.c
+++ b/drivers/net/netconsole.c
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@
 #include <linux/u64_stats_sync.h>
 #include <linux/utsname.h>
 #include <linux/rtnetlink.h>
+#include <linux/workqueue.h>
 
 MODULE_AUTHOR("Matt Mackall <mpm@selenic.com>");
 MODULE_DESCRIPTION("Console driver for network interfaces");
@@ -85,6 +86,8 @@ static DEFINE_SPINLOCK(target_list_lock);
 /* This needs to be a mutex because netpoll_cleanup might sleep */
 static DEFINE_MUTEX(target_cleanup_list_lock);
 
+static struct workqueue_struct *netconsole_wq;
+
 /*
  * Console driver for netconsoles.  Register only consoles that have
  * an associated target of the same type.
@@ -119,6 +122,12 @@ enum sysdata_feature {
 	MAX_SYSDATA_ITEMS = 4,
 };
 
+enum target_state {
+	STATE_DISABLED,
+	STATE_ENABLED,
+	STATE_DEACTIVATED,
+};
+
 /**
  * struct netconsole_target - Represents a configured netconsole target.
  * @list:	Links this target into the target_list.
@@ -130,12 +139,16 @@ enum sysdata_feature {
  * @sysdata_fields:	Sysdata features enabled.
  * @msgcounter:	Message sent counter.
  * @stats:	Packet send stats for the target. Used for debugging.
- * @enabled:	On / off knob to enable / disable target.
+ * @state:	State of the target.
  *		Visible from userspace (read-write).
- *		We maintain a strict 1:1 correspondence between this and
- *		whether the corresponding netpoll is active or inactive.
+ *		From a userspace perspective, the target is either enabled or
+ *		disabled. Internally, although both STATE_DISABLED and
+ *		STATE_DEACTIVATED correspond to inactive targets, the latter is
+ *		due to automatic interface state changes and will try
+ *		recover automatically, if the interface comes back
+ *		online.
  *		Also, other parameters of a target may be modified at
- *		runtime only when it is disabled (enabled == 0).
+ *		runtime only when it is disabled (state != STATE_ENABLED).
  * @extended:	Denotes whether console is extended or not.
  * @release:	Denotes whether kernel release version should be prepended
  *		to the message. Depends on extended console.
@@ -149,6 +162,7 @@ enum sysdata_feature {
  *		local_mac	(read-only)
  *		remote_mac	(read-write)
  * @buf:	The buffer used to send the full msg to the network stack
+ * @resume_wq:	Workqueue to resume deactivated target
  */
 struct netconsole_target {
 	struct list_head	list;
@@ -165,12 +179,13 @@ struct netconsole_target {
 	u32			msgcounter;
 #endif
 	struct netconsole_target_stats stats;
-	bool			enabled;
+	enum target_state	state;
 	bool			extended;
 	bool			release;
 	struct netpoll		np;
 	/* protected by target_list_lock */
 	char			buf[MAX_PRINT_CHUNK];
+	struct work_struct	resume_wq;
 };
 
 #ifdef	CONFIG_NETCONSOLE_DYNAMIC
@@ -207,6 +222,16 @@ static void netconsole_target_put(struct netconsole_target *nt)
 		config_group_put(&nt->group);
 }
 
+static void dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock(void)
+{
+	mutex_lock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+}
+
+static void dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock(void)
+{
+	mutex_unlock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+}
+
 #else	/* !CONFIG_NETCONSOLE_DYNAMIC */
 
 static int __init dynamic_netconsole_init(void)
@@ -234,8 +259,87 @@ static void populate_configfs_item(struct netconsole_target *nt,
 				   int cmdline_count)
 {
 }
+
+static void dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock(void)
+{
+}
+
+static void dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock(void)
+{
+}
+
 #endif	/* CONFIG_NETCONSOLE_DYNAMIC */
 
+/* Check if the target was bound by mac address. */
+static bool bound_by_mac(struct netconsole_target *nt)
+{
+	return is_valid_ether_addr(nt->np.dev_mac);
+}
+
+/* Attempts to resume logging to a deactivated target. */
+static void resume_target(struct netconsole_target *nt)
+{
+	if (netpoll_setup(&nt->np)) {
+		/* netpoll fails setup once, do not try again. */
+		nt->state = STATE_DISABLED;
+		return;
+	}
+
+	nt->state = STATE_ENABLED;
+	pr_info("network logging resumed on interface %s\n", nt->np.dev_name);
+}
+
+/* Checks if a deactivated target matches a device. */
+static bool deactivated_target_match(struct netconsole_target *nt,
+				     struct net_device *ndev)
+{
+	if (nt->state != STATE_DEACTIVATED)
+		return false;
+
+	if (bound_by_mac(nt))
+		return !memcmp(nt->np.dev_mac, ndev->dev_addr, ETH_ALEN);
+	return !strncmp(nt->np.dev_name, ndev->name, IFNAMSIZ);
+}
+
+/* Process work scheduled for target resume. */
+static void process_resume_target(struct work_struct *work)
+{
+	struct netconsole_target *nt;
+	unsigned long flags;
+
+	nt = container_of(work, struct netconsole_target, resume_wq);
+
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock();
+
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&target_list_lock, flags);
+	/* Check if target is still deactivated as it may have been disabled
+	 * while resume was being scheduled.
+	 */
+	if (nt->state != STATE_DEACTIVATED) {
+		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&target_list_lock, flags);
+		goto out_unlock;
+	}
+
+	/* resume_target is IRQ unsafe, remove target from
+	 * target_list in order to resume it with IRQ enabled.
+	 */
+	list_del_init(&nt->list);
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&target_list_lock, flags);
+
+	resume_target(nt);
+
+	/* At this point the target is either enabled or disabled and
+	 * was cleaned up before getting deactivated. Either way, add it
+	 * back to target list.
+	 */
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&target_list_lock, flags);
+	list_add(&nt->list, &target_list);
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&target_list_lock, flags);
+
+out_unlock:
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock();
+}
+
 /* Allocate and initialize with defaults.
  * Note that these targets get their config_item fields zeroed-out.
  */
@@ -257,6 +361,8 @@ static struct netconsole_target *alloc_and_init(void)
 	nt->np.local_port = 6665;
 	nt->np.remote_port = 6666;
 	eth_broadcast_addr(nt->np.remote_mac);
+	nt->state = STATE_DISABLED;
+	INIT_WORK(&nt->resume_wq, process_resume_target);
 
 	return nt;
 }
@@ -275,8 +381,10 @@ static void netconsole_process_cleanups_core(void)
 	mutex_lock(&target_cleanup_list_lock);
 	list_for_each_entry_safe(nt, tmp, &target_cleanup_list, list) {
 		/* all entries in the cleanup_list needs to be disabled */
-		WARN_ON_ONCE(nt->enabled);
+		WARN_ON_ONCE(nt->state == STATE_ENABLED);
 		do_netpoll_cleanup(&nt->np);
+		if (bound_by_mac(nt))
+			memset(&nt->np.dev_name, 0, IFNAMSIZ);
 		/* moved the cleaned target to target_list. Need to hold both
 		 * locks
 		 */
@@ -398,7 +506,7 @@ static void trim_newline(char *s, size_t maxlen)
 
 static ssize_t enabled_show(struct config_item *item, char *buf)
 {
-	return sysfs_emit(buf, "%d\n", to_target(item)->enabled);
+	return sysfs_emit(buf, "%d\n", to_target(item)->state == STATE_ENABLED);
 }
 
 static ssize_t extended_show(struct config_item *item, char *buf)
@@ -480,9 +588,9 @@ static ssize_t sysdata_cpu_nr_enabled_show(struct config_item *item, char *buf)
 	struct netconsole_target *nt = to_target(item->ci_parent);
 	bool cpu_nr_enabled;
 
-	mutex_lock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock();
 	cpu_nr_enabled = !!(nt->sysdata_fields & SYSDATA_CPU_NR);
-	mutex_unlock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock();
 
 	return sysfs_emit(buf, "%d\n", cpu_nr_enabled);
 }
@@ -494,9 +602,9 @@ static ssize_t sysdata_taskname_enabled_show(struct config_item *item,
 	struct netconsole_target *nt = to_target(item->ci_parent);
 	bool taskname_enabled;
 
-	mutex_lock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock();
 	taskname_enabled = !!(nt->sysdata_fields & SYSDATA_TASKNAME);
-	mutex_unlock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock();
 
 	return sysfs_emit(buf, "%d\n", taskname_enabled);
 }
@@ -507,9 +615,9 @@ static ssize_t sysdata_release_enabled_show(struct config_item *item,
 	struct netconsole_target *nt = to_target(item->ci_parent);
 	bool release_enabled;
 
-	mutex_lock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock();
 	release_enabled = !!(nt->sysdata_fields & SYSDATA_TASKNAME);
-	mutex_unlock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock();
 
 	return sysfs_emit(buf, "%d\n", release_enabled);
 }
@@ -547,9 +655,9 @@ static ssize_t sysdata_msgid_enabled_show(struct config_item *item,
 	struct netconsole_target *nt = to_target(item->ci_parent);
 	bool msgid_enabled;
 
-	mutex_lock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock();
 	msgid_enabled = !!(nt->sysdata_fields & SYSDATA_MSGID);
-	mutex_unlock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock();
 
 	return sysfs_emit(buf, "%d\n", msgid_enabled);
 }
@@ -565,19 +673,28 @@ static ssize_t enabled_store(struct config_item *item,
 		const char *buf, size_t count)
 {
 	struct netconsole_target *nt = to_target(item);
+	bool enabled, current_enabled;
 	unsigned long flags;
-	bool enabled;
 	ssize_t ret;
 
-	mutex_lock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock();
 	ret = kstrtobool(buf, &enabled);
 	if (ret)
 		goto out_unlock;
 
+	/* When the user explicitly enables or disables a target that is
+	 * currently deactivated, reset its state to disabled. The DEACTIVATED
+	 * state only tracks interface-driven deactivation and should _not_
+	 * persist when the user manually changes the target's enabled state.
+	 */
+	if (nt->state == STATE_DEACTIVATED)
+		nt->state = STATE_DISABLED;
+
 	ret = -EINVAL;
-	if (enabled == nt->enabled) {
+	current_enabled = nt->state == STATE_ENABLED;
+	if (enabled == current_enabled) {
 		pr_info("network logging has already %s\n",
-			nt->enabled ? "started" : "stopped");
+			current_enabled ? "started" : "stopped");
 		goto out_unlock;
 	}
 
@@ -610,16 +727,16 @@ static ssize_t enabled_store(struct config_item *item,
 		if (ret)
 			goto out_unlock;
 
-		nt->enabled = true;
+		nt->state = STATE_ENABLED;
 		pr_info("network logging started\n");
 	} else {	/* false */
 		/* We need to disable the netconsole before cleaning it up
 		 * otherwise we might end up in write_msg() with
-		 * nt->np.dev == NULL and nt->enabled == true
+		 * nt->np.dev == NULL and nt->state == STATE_ENABLED
 		 */
 		mutex_lock(&target_cleanup_list_lock);
 		spin_lock_irqsave(&target_list_lock, flags);
-		nt->enabled = false;
+		nt->state = STATE_DISABLED;
 		/* Remove the target from the list, while holding
 		 * target_list_lock
 		 */
@@ -636,7 +753,7 @@ static ssize_t enabled_store(struct config_item *item,
 	/* Deferred cleanup */
 	netconsole_process_cleanups();
 out_unlock:
-	mutex_unlock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock();
 	return ret;
 }
 
@@ -647,8 +764,8 @@ static ssize_t release_store(struct config_item *item, const char *buf,
 	bool release;
 	ssize_t ret;
 
-	mutex_lock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
-	if (nt->enabled) {
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock();
+	if (nt->state == STATE_ENABLED) {
 		pr_err("target (%s) is enabled, disable to update parameters\n",
 		       config_item_name(&nt->group.cg_item));
 		ret = -EINVAL;
@@ -663,7 +780,7 @@ static ssize_t release_store(struct config_item *item, const char *buf,
 
 	ret = strnlen(buf, count);
 out_unlock:
-	mutex_unlock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock();
 	return ret;
 }
 
@@ -674,8 +791,8 @@ static ssize_t extended_store(struct config_item *item, const char *buf,
 	bool extended;
 	ssize_t ret;
 
-	mutex_lock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
-	if (nt->enabled) {
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock();
+	if (nt->state == STATE_ENABLED)  {
 		pr_err("target (%s) is enabled, disable to update parameters\n",
 		       config_item_name(&nt->group.cg_item));
 		ret = -EINVAL;
@@ -689,7 +806,7 @@ static ssize_t extended_store(struct config_item *item, const char *buf,
 	nt->extended = extended;
 	ret = strnlen(buf, count);
 out_unlock:
-	mutex_unlock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock();
 	return ret;
 }
 
@@ -698,18 +815,18 @@ static ssize_t dev_name_store(struct config_item *item, const char *buf,
 {
 	struct netconsole_target *nt = to_target(item);
 
-	mutex_lock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
-	if (nt->enabled) {
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock();
+	if (nt->state == STATE_ENABLED) {
 		pr_err("target (%s) is enabled, disable to update parameters\n",
 		       config_item_name(&nt->group.cg_item));
-		mutex_unlock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+		dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock();
 		return -EINVAL;
 	}
 
 	strscpy(nt->np.dev_name, buf, IFNAMSIZ);
 	trim_newline(nt->np.dev_name, IFNAMSIZ);
 
-	mutex_unlock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock();
 	return strnlen(buf, count);
 }
 
@@ -719,8 +836,8 @@ static ssize_t local_port_store(struct config_item *item, const char *buf,
 	struct netconsole_target *nt = to_target(item);
 	ssize_t ret = -EINVAL;
 
-	mutex_lock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
-	if (nt->enabled) {
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock();
+	if (nt->state == STATE_ENABLED) {
 		pr_err("target (%s) is enabled, disable to update parameters\n",
 		       config_item_name(&nt->group.cg_item));
 		goto out_unlock;
@@ -731,7 +848,7 @@ static ssize_t local_port_store(struct config_item *item, const char *buf,
 		goto out_unlock;
 	ret = strnlen(buf, count);
 out_unlock:
-	mutex_unlock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock();
 	return ret;
 }
 
@@ -741,8 +858,8 @@ static ssize_t remote_port_store(struct config_item *item,
 	struct netconsole_target *nt = to_target(item);
 	ssize_t ret = -EINVAL;
 
-	mutex_lock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
-	if (nt->enabled) {
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock();
+	if (nt->state == STATE_ENABLED) {
 		pr_err("target (%s) is enabled, disable to update parameters\n",
 		       config_item_name(&nt->group.cg_item));
 		goto out_unlock;
@@ -753,7 +870,7 @@ static ssize_t remote_port_store(struct config_item *item,
 		goto out_unlock;
 	ret = strnlen(buf, count);
 out_unlock:
-	mutex_unlock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock();
 	return ret;
 }
 
@@ -764,8 +881,8 @@ static ssize_t local_ip_store(struct config_item *item, const char *buf,
 	ssize_t ret = -EINVAL;
 	int ipv6;
 
-	mutex_lock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
-	if (nt->enabled) {
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock();
+	if (nt->state == STATE_ENABLED) {
 		pr_err("target (%s) is enabled, disable to update parameters\n",
 		       config_item_name(&nt->group.cg_item));
 		goto out_unlock;
@@ -778,7 +895,7 @@ static ssize_t local_ip_store(struct config_item *item, const char *buf,
 
 	ret = strnlen(buf, count);
 out_unlock:
-	mutex_unlock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock();
 	return ret;
 }
 
@@ -789,8 +906,8 @@ static ssize_t remote_ip_store(struct config_item *item, const char *buf,
 	ssize_t ret = -EINVAL;
 	int ipv6;
 
-	mutex_lock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
-	if (nt->enabled) {
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock();
+	if (nt->state == STATE_ENABLED) {
 		pr_err("target (%s) is enabled, disable to update parameters\n",
 		       config_item_name(&nt->group.cg_item));
 		goto out_unlock;
@@ -803,7 +920,7 @@ static ssize_t remote_ip_store(struct config_item *item, const char *buf,
 
 	ret = strnlen(buf, count);
 out_unlock:
-	mutex_unlock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock();
 	return ret;
 }
 
@@ -824,8 +941,8 @@ static ssize_t remote_mac_store(struct config_item *item, const char *buf,
 	u8 remote_mac[ETH_ALEN];
 	ssize_t ret = -EINVAL;
 
-	mutex_lock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
-	if (nt->enabled) {
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock();
+	if (nt->state == STATE_ENABLED) {
 		pr_err("target (%s) is enabled, disable to update parameters\n",
 		       config_item_name(&nt->group.cg_item));
 		goto out_unlock;
@@ -839,7 +956,7 @@ static ssize_t remote_mac_store(struct config_item *item, const char *buf,
 
 	ret = strnlen(buf, count);
 out_unlock:
-	mutex_unlock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock();
 	return ret;
 }
 
@@ -960,7 +1077,7 @@ static ssize_t userdatum_value_store(struct config_item *item, const char *buf,
 		return -EMSGSIZE;
 
 	mutex_lock(&netconsole_subsys.su_mutex);
-	mutex_lock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock();
 
 	ret = strscpy(udm->value, buf, sizeof(udm->value));
 	if (ret < 0)
@@ -974,7 +1091,7 @@ static ssize_t userdatum_value_store(struct config_item *item, const char *buf,
 		goto out_unlock;
 	ret = count;
 out_unlock:
-	mutex_unlock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock();
 	mutex_unlock(&netconsole_subsys.su_mutex);
 	return ret;
 }
@@ -1002,7 +1119,7 @@ static ssize_t sysdata_msgid_enabled_store(struct config_item *item,
 		return ret;
 
 	mutex_lock(&netconsole_subsys.su_mutex);
-	mutex_lock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock();
 	curr = !!(nt->sysdata_fields & SYSDATA_MSGID);
 	if (msgid_enabled == curr)
 		goto unlock_ok;
@@ -1014,7 +1131,7 @@ static ssize_t sysdata_msgid_enabled_store(struct config_item *item,
 
 unlock_ok:
 	ret = strnlen(buf, count);
-	mutex_unlock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock();
 	mutex_unlock(&netconsole_subsys.su_mutex);
 	return ret;
 }
@@ -1031,7 +1148,7 @@ static ssize_t sysdata_release_enabled_store(struct config_item *item,
 		return ret;
 
 	mutex_lock(&netconsole_subsys.su_mutex);
-	mutex_lock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock();
 	curr = !!(nt->sysdata_fields & SYSDATA_RELEASE);
 	if (release_enabled == curr)
 		goto unlock_ok;
@@ -1043,7 +1160,7 @@ static ssize_t sysdata_release_enabled_store(struct config_item *item,
 
 unlock_ok:
 	ret = strnlen(buf, count);
-	mutex_unlock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock();
 	mutex_unlock(&netconsole_subsys.su_mutex);
 	return ret;
 }
@@ -1060,7 +1177,7 @@ static ssize_t sysdata_taskname_enabled_store(struct config_item *item,
 		return ret;
 
 	mutex_lock(&netconsole_subsys.su_mutex);
-	mutex_lock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock();
 	curr = !!(nt->sysdata_fields & SYSDATA_TASKNAME);
 	if (taskname_enabled == curr)
 		goto unlock_ok;
@@ -1072,7 +1189,7 @@ static ssize_t sysdata_taskname_enabled_store(struct config_item *item,
 
 unlock_ok:
 	ret = strnlen(buf, count);
-	mutex_unlock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock();
 	mutex_unlock(&netconsole_subsys.su_mutex);
 	return ret;
 }
@@ -1090,7 +1207,7 @@ static ssize_t sysdata_cpu_nr_enabled_store(struct config_item *item,
 		return ret;
 
 	mutex_lock(&netconsole_subsys.su_mutex);
-	mutex_lock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock();
 	curr = !!(nt->sysdata_fields & SYSDATA_CPU_NR);
 	if (cpu_nr_enabled == curr)
 		/* no change requested */
@@ -1106,7 +1223,7 @@ static ssize_t sysdata_cpu_nr_enabled_store(struct config_item *item,
 
 unlock_ok:
 	ret = strnlen(buf, count);
-	mutex_unlock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock();
 	mutex_unlock(&netconsole_subsys.su_mutex);
 	return ret;
 }
@@ -1168,10 +1285,10 @@ static void userdatum_drop(struct config_group *group, struct config_item *item)
 	ud = to_userdata(&group->cg_item);
 	nt = userdata_to_target(ud);
 
-	mutex_lock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock();
 	update_userdata(nt);
 	config_item_put(item);
-	mutex_unlock(&dynamic_netconsole_mutex);
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock();
 }
 
 static struct configfs_attribute *userdata_attrs[] = {
@@ -1310,18 +1427,34 @@ static struct config_group *make_netconsole_target(struct config_group *group,
 static void drop_netconsole_target(struct config_group *group,
 				   struct config_item *item)
 {
-	unsigned long flags;
 	struct netconsole_target *nt = to_target(item);
+	unsigned long flags;
+
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_lock();
 
 	spin_lock_irqsave(&target_list_lock, flags);
+	/* Disable deactivated target to prevent races between resume attempt
+	 * and target removal.
+	 */
+	if (nt->state == STATE_DEACTIVATED)
+		nt->state = STATE_DISABLED;
 	list_del(&nt->list);
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&target_list_lock, flags);
 
+	dynamic_netconsole_mutex_unlock();
+
+	/* Now that the target has been marked disabled no further work
+	 * can be scheduled. Existing work will skip as targets are not
+	 * deactivated anymore. Cancel any scheduled resume and wait for
+	 * completion.
+	 */
+	cancel_work_sync(&nt->resume_wq);
+
 	/*
 	 * The target may have never been enabled, or was manually disabled
 	 * before being removed so netpoll may have already been cleaned up.
 	 */
-	if (nt->enabled)
+	if (nt->state == STATE_ENABLED)
 		netpoll_cleanup(&nt->np);
 
 	config_item_put(&nt->group.cg_item);
@@ -1418,13 +1551,14 @@ static int prepare_sysdata(struct netconsole_target *nt)
 static int netconsole_netdev_event(struct notifier_block *this,
 				   unsigned long event, void *ptr)
 {
-	unsigned long flags;
-	struct netconsole_target *nt, *tmp;
 	struct net_device *dev = netdev_notifier_info_to_dev(ptr);
+	struct netconsole_target *nt, *tmp;
 	bool stopped = false;
+	unsigned long flags;
 
 	if (!(event == NETDEV_CHANGENAME || event == NETDEV_UNREGISTER ||
-	      event == NETDEV_RELEASE || event == NETDEV_JOIN))
+	      event == NETDEV_RELEASE || event == NETDEV_JOIN ||
+	      event == NETDEV_REGISTER))
 		goto done;
 
 	mutex_lock(&target_cleanup_list_lock);
@@ -1438,12 +1572,28 @@ static int netconsole_netdev_event(struct notifier_block *this,
 				break;
 			case NETDEV_RELEASE:
 			case NETDEV_JOIN:
+				/* transition target to DISABLED instead of
+				 * DEACTIVATED when (de)enslaving devices as
+				 * their targets should not be automatically
+				 * resumed when the interface is brought up.
+				 */
+				nt->state = STATE_DISABLED;
+				list_move(&nt->list, &target_cleanup_list);
+				stopped = true;
+				break;
 			case NETDEV_UNREGISTER:
-				nt->enabled = false;
+				nt->state = STATE_DEACTIVATED;
 				list_move(&nt->list, &target_cleanup_list);
 				stopped = true;
 			}
 		}
+		if ((event == NETDEV_REGISTER || event == NETDEV_CHANGENAME) &&
+		    deactivated_target_match(nt, dev))
+			/* Schedule resume on a workqueue as it will attempt
+			 * to UP the device, which can't be done as part of this
+			 * notifier.
+			 */
+			queue_work(netconsole_wq, &nt->resume_wq);
 		netconsole_target_put(nt);
 	}
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&target_list_lock, flags);
@@ -1720,7 +1870,8 @@ static void write_ext_msg(struct console *con, const char *msg,
 
 	spin_lock_irqsave(&target_list_lock, flags);
 	list_for_each_entry(nt, &target_list, list)
-		if (nt->extended && nt->enabled && netif_running(nt->np.dev))
+		if (nt->extended && nt->state == STATE_ENABLED &&
+		    netif_running(nt->np.dev))
 			send_ext_msg_udp(nt, msg, len);
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&target_list_lock, flags);
 }
@@ -1740,7 +1891,8 @@ static void write_msg(struct console *con, const char *msg, unsigned int len)
 
 	spin_lock_irqsave(&target_list_lock, flags);
 	list_for_each_entry(nt, &target_list, list) {
-		if (!nt->extended && nt->enabled && netif_running(nt->np.dev)) {
+		if (!nt->extended && nt->state == STATE_ENABLED &&
+		    netif_running(nt->np.dev)) {
 			/*
 			 * We nest this inside the for-each-target loop above
 			 * so that we're able to get as much logging out to
@@ -1896,7 +2048,7 @@ static struct netconsole_target *alloc_param_target(char *target_config,
 			 */
 			goto fail;
 	} else {
-		nt->enabled = true;
+		nt->state = STATE_ENABLED;
 	}
 	populate_configfs_item(nt, cmdline_count);
 
@@ -1910,6 +2062,7 @@ static struct netconsole_target *alloc_param_target(char *target_config,
 /* Cleanup netpoll for given target (from boot/module param) and free it */
 static void free_param_target(struct netconsole_target *nt)
 {
+	cancel_work_sync(&nt->resume_wq);
 	netpoll_cleanup(&nt->np);
 #ifdef	CONFIG_NETCONSOLE_DYNAMIC
 	kfree(nt->userdata);
@@ -1964,6 +2117,12 @@ static int __init init_netconsole(void)
 		}
 	}
 
+	netconsole_wq = alloc_workqueue("netconsole", WQ_UNBOUND, 0);
+	if (!netconsole_wq) {
+		err = -ENOMEM;
+		goto fail;
+	}
+
 	err = register_netdevice_notifier(&netconsole_netdev_notifier);
 	if (err)
 		goto fail;
@@ -1986,6 +2145,8 @@ static int __init init_netconsole(void)
 fail:
 	pr_err("cleaning up\n");
 
+	if (netconsole_wq)
+		flush_workqueue(netconsole_wq);
 	/*
 	 * Remove all targets and destroy them (only targets created
 	 * from the boot/module option exist here). Skipping the list
@@ -1996,6 +2157,9 @@ static int __init init_netconsole(void)
 		free_param_target(nt);
 	}
 
+	if (netconsole_wq)
+		destroy_workqueue(netconsole_wq);
+
 	return err;
 }
 
@@ -2009,6 +2173,7 @@ static void __exit cleanup_netconsole(void)
 		unregister_console(&netconsole);
 	dynamic_netconsole_exit();
 	unregister_netdevice_notifier(&netconsole_netdev_notifier);
+	flush_workqueue(netconsole_wq);
 
 	/*
 	 * Targets created via configfs pin references on our module
@@ -2022,6 +2187,8 @@ static void __exit cleanup_netconsole(void)
 		list_del(&nt->list);
 		free_param_target(nt);
 	}
+
+	destroy_workqueue(netconsole_wq);
 }
 
 /*
diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/drivers/net/Makefile b/tools/testing/selftests/drivers/net/Makefile
index f5c71d993750..3eba569b3366 100644
--- a/tools/testing/selftests/drivers/net/Makefile
+++ b/tools/testing/selftests/drivers/net/Makefile
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ TEST_PROGS := \
 	netcons_cmdline.sh \
 	netcons_fragmented_msg.sh \
 	netcons_overflow.sh \
+	netcons_resume.sh \
 	netcons_sysdata.sh \
 	netcons_torture.sh \
 	netpoll_basic.py \
diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/drivers/net/lib/sh/lib_netcons.sh b/tools/testing/selftests/drivers/net/lib/sh/lib_netcons.sh
index ae8abff4be40..b6093bcf2b06 100644
--- a/tools/testing/selftests/drivers/net/lib/sh/lib_netcons.sh
+++ b/tools/testing/selftests/drivers/net/lib/sh/lib_netcons.sh
@@ -203,19 +203,21 @@ function do_cleanup() {
 function cleanup_netcons() {
 	# delete netconsole dynamic reconfiguration
 	# do not fail if the target is already disabled
-	if [[ ! -d "${NETCONS_PATH}" ]]
+	local TARGET_PATH=${1:-${NETCONS_PATH}}
+
+	if [[ ! -d "${TARGET_PATH}" ]]
 	then
 		# in some cases this is called before netcons path is created
 		return
 	fi
-	if [[ $(cat "${NETCONS_PATH}"/enabled) != 0 ]]
+	if [[ $(cat "${TARGET_PATH}"/enabled) != 0 ]]
 	then
-		echo 0 > "${NETCONS_PATH}"/enabled || true
+		echo 0 > "${TARGET_PATH}"/enabled || true
 	fi
 	# Remove all the keys that got created during the selftest
-	find "${NETCONS_PATH}/userdata/" -mindepth 1 -type d -delete
+	find "${TARGET_PATH}/userdata/" -mindepth 1 -type d -delete
 	# Remove the configfs entry
-	rmdir "${NETCONS_PATH}"
+	rmdir "${TARGET_PATH}"
 }
 
 function cleanup() {
@@ -377,6 +379,29 @@ function check_netconsole_module() {
 	fi
 }
 
+function wait_target_state() {
+	local TARGET=${1}
+	local STATE=${2}
+	local TARGET_PATH="${NETCONS_CONFIGFS}"/"${TARGET}"
+	local ENABLED=0
+
+	if [ "${STATE}" == "enabled" ]
+	then
+		ENABLED=1
+	fi
+
+	if [ ! -d "$TARGET_PATH" ]; then
+		echo "FAIL: Target does not exist." >&2
+		exit "${ksft_fail}"
+	fi
+
+	local CHECK_CMD="grep \"$ENABLED\" \"$TARGET_PATH/enabled\""
+	slowwait 2 sh -c "test -n \"\$($CHECK_CMD)\"" || {
+		echo "FAIL: ${TARGET} is not ${STATE}." >&2
+		exit "${ksft_fail}"
+	}
+}
+
 # A wrapper to translate protocol version to udp version
 function wait_for_port() {
 	local NAMESPACE=${1}
diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/drivers/net/netcons_resume.sh b/tools/testing/selftests/drivers/net/netcons_resume.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000000..fc5e5e3ad3d4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/testing/selftests/drivers/net/netcons_resume.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0
+
+# This test validates that netconsole is able to resume a target that was
+# deactivated when its interface was removed when the interface is brought
+# back up.
+#
+# The test configures a netconsole target and then removes netdevsim module to
+# cause the interface to disappear. Targets are configured via cmdline to ensure
+# targets bound by interface name and mac address can be resumed.
+# The test verifies that the target moved to disabled state before adding
+# netdevsim and the interface back.
+#
+# Finally, the test verifies that the target is re-enabled automatically and
+# the message is received on the destination interface.
+#
+# Author: Andre Carvalho <asantostc@gmail.com>
+
+set -euo pipefail
+
+SCRIPTDIR=$(dirname "$(readlink -e "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")")
+
+source "${SCRIPTDIR}"/lib/sh/lib_netcons.sh
+
+SAVED_SRCMAC="" # to be populated later
+SAVED_DSTMAC="" # to be populated later
+
+modprobe netdevsim 2> /dev/null || true
+rmmod netconsole 2> /dev/null || true
+
+check_netconsole_module
+
+function cleanup() {
+	cleanup_netcons "${NETCONS_CONFIGFS}/cmdline0"
+	do_cleanup
+	rmmod netconsole
+}
+
+function trigger_reactivation() {
+	# Add back low level module
+	modprobe netdevsim
+	# Recreate namespace and two interfaces
+	set_network
+	# Restore MACs
+	ip netns exec "${NAMESPACE}" ip link set "${DSTIF}" \
+		address "${SAVED_DSTMAC}"
+	if [ "${BINDMODE}" == "mac" ]; then
+		ip link set dev "${SRCIF}" down
+		ip link set dev "${SRCIF}" address "${SAVED_SRCMAC}"
+		# Rename device in order to trigger target resume, as initial
+		# when device was recreated it didn't have correct mac address.
+		ip link set dev "${SRCIF}" name "${TARGET}"
+	fi
+}
+
+function trigger_deactivation() {
+	# Start by storing mac addresses so we can be restored in reactivate
+	SAVED_DSTMAC=$(ip netns exec "${NAMESPACE}" \
+		cat /sys/class/net/"$DSTIF"/address)
+	SAVED_SRCMAC=$(mac_get "${SRCIF}")
+	# Remove low level module
+	rmmod netdevsim
+}
+
+trap cleanup EXIT
+
+# Run the test twice, with different cmdline parameters
+for BINDMODE in "ifname" "mac"
+do
+	echo "Running with bind mode: ${BINDMODE}" >&2
+	# Set current loglevel to KERN_INFO(6), and default to KERN_NOTICE(5)
+	echo "6 5" > /proc/sys/kernel/printk
+
+	# Create one namespace and two interfaces
+	set_network
+
+	# Create the command line for netconsole, with the configuration from
+	# the function above
+	CMDLINE=$(create_cmdline_str "${BINDMODE}")
+
+	# The content of kmsg will be save to the following file
+	OUTPUT_FILE="/tmp/${TARGET}-${BINDMODE}"
+
+	# Load the module, with the cmdline set
+	modprobe netconsole "${CMDLINE}"
+	# Expose cmdline target in configfs
+	mkdir "${NETCONS_CONFIGFS}/cmdline0"
+
+	# Target should be enabled
+	wait_target_state "cmdline0" "enabled"
+
+	# Trigger deactivation by unloading netdevsim module. Target should be
+	# disabled.
+	trigger_deactivation
+	wait_target_state "cmdline0" "disabled"
+
+	# Trigger reactivation by loading netdevsim, recreating the network and
+	# restoring mac addresses. Target should be re-enabled.
+	trigger_reactivation
+	wait_target_state "cmdline0" "enabled"
+
+	# Listen for netconsole port inside the namespace and destination
+	# interface
+	listen_port_and_save_to "${OUTPUT_FILE}" &
+	# Wait for socat to start and listen to the port.
+	wait_local_port_listen "${NAMESPACE}" "${PORT}" udp
+	# Send the message
+	echo "${MSG}: ${TARGET}" > /dev/kmsg
+	# Wait until socat saves the file to disk
+	busywait "${BUSYWAIT_TIMEOUT}" test -s "${OUTPUT_FILE}"
+	# Make sure the message was received in the dst part
+	# and exit
+	validate_msg "${OUTPUT_FILE}"
+
+	# kill socat in case it is still running
+	pkill_socat
+	# Cleanup & unload the module
+	cleanup
+
+	echo "${BINDMODE} : Test passed" >&2
+done
+
+trap - EXIT
+exit "${EXIT_STATUS}"