OpenWRT - how to convert failsafe mode to normal boot?

I know that sounds strange. Here's some background: OpenWRT - how to do initial login (ssh) if 192.168.1.1 can't be routed?

Essentially, I flashed openWRT and the normal boot mode is broken. I have a working configuration in failsafe mode, as well as a lot of additional configuration that I've done. For whatever reason, when I'm in failsafe mode, my changes persist. If I reboot, it boots the normal mode, which fails and hangs. Status light never changes, Etheet ports never get power (judging by their LEDs), nothing occurs over the ports, no ping, no ssh etc. I have to cut power 3-5 times every time I reboot, until it reboots back to failsafe, with all my changes that I've made still there. It's very strange.

Question: Is there an easy way to copy failsafe to main boot mode, or should I back it up and reflash? If I restore a backup that was made while in failsafe, does that backup contain data from failsafe or normal mode? I am talking about the config backup done thru Luci, not a filesystem backup.

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