Methods and data processing systems for using a buffer to replace failed memory cells in a memory component are provided. Embodiments include determining that a first copy of data stored within a plurality of memory cells of a memory component contains one or more errors; in response to determining that the first copy contains one or more errors, determining whether a backup cache within the buffer contains a second copy of the data; and in response to determining that the backup cache contains the second copy of the data, transferring the second copy from the backup cache to a location within an error data queue (EDQ) within the buffer and updating the buffer controller to use the location within the EDQ instead of the plurality of memory cells within the memory component.