A magnetic recording-reproducing apparatus having a rotary head drum around which a magnetic tape is wound for recording and reproducing signals on the magnetic tape, a tape loading mechanism, and a control unit for controlling rotation of the rotary head drum and operation of the tape loading mechanism. The control unit includes a monitoring unit that monitors rotational frequency of the rotary head drum at a tape loading operation, and a first determination unit that determines the presence of dew condensation. An operation unit terminates rotation of the rotary head drum and conducts the tape unloading operation using the tape loading mechanism. A second determination unit restarts the tape loading operation using the tape loading mechanism. A stop control unit stops rotation of the rotary head drum and disables the tape unloading operation using the tape loading mechanism.