A novel technique to improve and extend endurance and reliability of a memory device utilizing multi-level cells is disclosed. As a memory device ages, it's reliability deteriorates. Prior to the memory device becoming completely unreliable, the memory device transitions from a multi-level cell operating mode to a reduced capacity operating mode. When operating in the multi-level cell mode, the memory system stores multiple bits per cell. The memory system stores fewer bits per cell when operating in the reduced capacity. The transition between modes is achieved by setting all bits of a particular memory page to a specific value, for example, either a logic “1” or a logic “0.”