Storage system with host-directed error scanning of solid-state storage devices

A storage system in one embodiment comprises a host processor, and a solid-state storage device coupled to the host processor and comprising a non-volatile memory and a storage controller. The host processor is configured to initiate an error scanning operation on a designated portion of the non-volatile memory by directing at least one read command to the storage controller. The read command is configured to indicate to the storage controller that data read from the non-volatile memory responsive to the read command is not to be returned to the host processor. For example, the read command may illustratively comprise a Scatter Gather List (SGL) bit bucket descriptor indicating that the data read from the non-volatile memory responsive to the read command is to be discarded rather than returned to the host processor. The storage controller records any detected errors in a media error log and notifies the host processor of such errors.