Partial block handling in a non-volatile memory device

A method comprising:

• performing one or more program operations on memory cells associated with one or more wordlines of a plurality of wordlines of a segment of a memory device;
• determining that a predetermined period of time associated with programming the segment of the memory device has expired;
• and
• responsive to determining that the predetermined period of time has expired, initiating a partial block handling protocol for the segment of the memory device, wherein the partial block handling protocol comprises programming memory cells associated with two or more remaining wordlines of the plurality of wordlines of the segment with padding data having a mixed data pattern.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations comprising:

• performing one or more program operations on memory cells associated with one or more wordlines of a plurality of wordlines of a segment of a memory device;
• determining that a predetermined period of time associated with programming the segment of the memory device has expired;
• and
• responsive to determining that the predetermined period of time has expired, initiating a partial block handling protocol for the segment of the memory device, wherein the partial block handling protocol comprises programming memory cells associated with two or more remaining wordlines of the plurality of wordlines of the segment with padding data having a mixed data pattern.