The remote controls the fan speed but wont dim or control the light. the unit wont work if the light switch is off so I cant use the fan at all unless the light is turned on

Usually, the fans with remotes will dim the lights by holding the light button for a few seconds. So, the red wire would stop this feature if wired directly to the fixture. That would eliminate the wire coming out of the receiver for the lights. If you want the light to dim, then tape off the red wire, so the remote will dim them. The wall switch won't work anymore. If you want to connect the red wire , tape off the wire from the receiver that connects to the light sockets and connect the red wire to the wire for the light sockets. This will operate the fan but the remote will not dim the lights. If you have a motor speed controller in the wall from the old fan, remove it and replace it with a switch or eliminate the switch altogether so the remote will control the fan speed.

If you have CFL bulbs they won't dim. There should be a switch to change remote from CFL to incandesant light inside the transmitter. You'll have to match settings with settings in receiver.

What kind of wall switch do you have? Is it a remote wall switch? You can't use a basic Fan/light control with a remote.

Possible that the ,main unit has a fault as the control signals are not processed. You will need to confirm your remote to be working fine specially with the light switch ON and to brighten up.
If the remote is not working check the pads of the remote.If not the fault can be the main unit possible failure of the SCR/Thyristor or a possible control unit..

It depends if the fan and lights are ran for separate control. If only one power line is ran from the fan to the switch location than you are out of luck. You should install a switch instead of a dimmer because a fan is not designed to work with a dimmer. A dimmer works by rapidly turning the power on and off faster than our eyes can detect creating a dimming effect for lights. This is not good for your fan. The strength of the fan speed will be limited by the dimming/power output of the light dimmer.

Are you saying you have a dimmer for the fan light and it does not work, or you do not know if the fan came with a dimmer switch?
Most of these fans have two switches; one is for the fan speed(usually three speed) and the other is for the lights(on -off). Adding a Remote control , which is optional for this unit , will allow for remote speed control(variable or three speed), and light dimmer control. The remote controls can be purchased in your local Home Depot or Lowes store. Hope this helps....

Seem like you have a bad lectronic control circuit in that fan.

check that the dip switches of the control remotes are the same with the receiver otherwise check the batteries!

I contacted the manufacturer (kingofffans.com) after my Altura fan would run on high speed only and the remote would not control any thing. They said their was a manufacturing defect with a capacitor that affected many of the Altura fans. We are now on a waiting list for a new capacitor and housing, because they did not have enough replacement parts.