Q: Itunes 12.3.2 will not sync playlists to phone or Ipad

I have a Mac and just updated to El Capitain.  Also running iTunes 12.3.2  I am connecting phone or iPad to computer to sync a new playlist that I created.  None of the other support pages I have looked up are showing the same screens I am getting.  Here is the problem.  I cannot get my new playlist to sync to either of my devices.  I somehow figured out how to get to my sync settings.  Then i tried dragging my new playlist to the device.  No go.  The new playlist shows on the device, but there are no songs on it.  I get an error message telling me that I have my iCloud button on. I shut it off, same result.  Apple has made this process harder, not easier.  One of you folks at Apple jump in here and fix this.  This is too hard.