US Patent 11520500 Managing capacity reduction when downshifting multi-level memory cells

A system and method for managing a reduction in capacity of a memory sub-system. An example method involving a memory sub-system: detecting a failure of a memory device of the set, wherein the memory device stores multiple bits per memory cell; sending a message to a host system indicating a reduced capacity of the set of memory devices; receiving from the host system a message to continue at the reduced capacity; and updating the set of memory devices based on the reduced capacity, wherein the updating comprises reducing a quantity of bits stored per memory cell of the memory device.