An information handling system (IHS) includes a memory controller, a memory device, and firmware. A failing memory region and a spare memory region are included on the memory device. A memory buffer in the memory device is coupled to the failing memory region and the spare memory region. The memory buffer is operable to perform copy operations without instruction from the memory controller in order to copy data from the failing memory region to the spare memory region in response to firmware operations performed by the firmware. Firmware operations may include instructing the memory controller to produce additional refresh or calibration operation time periods, or providing an instruction to perform a data transfer operation to the spare memory region. The memory buffer is also operable to route requests from the memory controller to one of the failing memory region and the spare memory region during the copy operations.