The present disclosure generally relates to a magnetic recording device having a magnetic recording media guide support system with a load-unload mechanism. The magnetic recording media guide is positioned between the magnetic head assembly and at least one guide roller, and moves a magnetic recording media surface closer to and further from the magnetic head assembly. The magnetic recording media guide is movable in a direction perpendicular to a direction that the magnetic recording media moves past the magnetic head assembly. The magnetic recording media guide is stationary in relation to the magnetic recording media when the magnetic recording media moves past the magnetic head assembly while a magnetic head is positioned to read data from or write data to the magnetic recording media. Additionally, the magnetic recording media guide can planarize the magnetic recording media surface on the magnetic head.