Laser–assisted magnetic recording (LAMR) is one of the novel technologies that are employed for achieving magnetic recording densities higher than 1 Tb/in2. In this study, a fundamental research on the lubricant depletion caused due to laser heating in LAMR systems was conducted. That is, the behavior of the lubricant films under laser heating was investigated experimentally. The obtained results revealed that lubricant depletion occurred and the lubricant could not be replenished. In addition, the effects of laser power, laser irradiation duration, and lubricant film thickness on the lubricant film depletion were studied and the lubricant depletion mechanisms were discussed.