iTunes connectivity and music sync issues with iPhone 13 on Windows 11

I'll admit, I don't quite get how iTunes works, but I have some issues and questions.

1. Connectivity - Most of the time it will not recognize my iPhone 13 on my Windows 11 Computer. On the last try it said it didn't recognize the phone and try again. Numerous attempts at unplugging and restarting iTunes have not done anything. This is an ongoing issue for quite a time.
2. Is my music on my phone? If I list by song, they all have an down arrow on the right before the three dots. That seems to say do I want to download them. If that is right, from where? According to Windows File Explorer my music is 34.5GB. I don't see that in my backups.

That should do it for now. If I can get these resolved perhaps I'll get cozier with iTunes and Apple Music

[Re-Titled by Moderator]