A memory controller includes, in one embodiment, a memory interface and a controller circuit. The memory interface is configured to interface with a memory interface configured to interface with a memory having a plurality of memory blocks. Each memory block has a plurality of strings. The controller circuit is configured to perform a string defect leakage check on one of the memory blocks during a first programming operation of the one memory block, determine whether the one memory block has one or more string to string shorts based on the string defect leakage check, and resolve the string to string shorts in response to determining that the one of the memory blocks has the string to string shorts.